In July 2016, we invited feedback from parents through our annual parent survey.  More parents than ever before completed the survey, with 172 completed surveys.  The survey comprised 21 questions, the majority of which were the same as in 2015 to allow year to year comparisons.  The full results were considered by the Full Governing Body in October.  A summary of the results of the survey are published on the school’s website.

Overall the results were at least as positive or even more so than in 2015, and compared favorably with national benchmarks.  For example, the vast majority of parents (93%) reported that their child was happy at school; there was an increase in the proportion of parents who would recommend the school to family and friends (92%); and parents reported high levels of satisfaction with their child’s progress at school (91%).

As well as providing numbers, the survey gives parents an opportunity to write comments on the questions asked, and on any other issues they want to raise.  We received hundreds and hundreds of comments, which the Governors and the school leadership have reviewed in detail.  Again, these were overwhelmingly positive, but there was also lots of good and challenging feedback for us to work on.

Two specific issues where the survey feedback has been particularly useful are: i) more work to improve how the school communicates with parents, and ii) continuing to improve behaviour generally across the school and improving the way that the school deals with the (thankfully rare) instances of bullying.  Both of these were already priorities for the school, and are areas where the parent survey feedback has been particularly helpful in shaping our plans.

Of course, the parent survey is just one of the ways that we gather feedback on what’s happening at Morley.  The school leadership and Governing Body work hard to make sure that we regularly gather feedback formally and informally from parents, pupils, and staff.  If you have any questions or ideas, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

A quick update to let you know some of the things governors have been doing in the last few weeks:

• Governors on the Performance Management Committee met with the head to check that the appraisal system is being used effectively to improve outcomes for children. We are pleased to report that it is.
• The Salary Review committee met to agree salary recommendations for teaching staff.
• The safeguarding link governor has visited the school to monitor how the school is keeping children safe.   This involved going through a very detailed audit with Mrs Darby of all the things the school does to protect children.   We are pleased to report that the school has a very rigorous approach towards safeguarding.

At the beginning of September 2016, the head reported in the weekly newsletter that plans for the building redevelopment had been submitted to the planning authority and that the school hoped to hear back from the local authority and planning committee soon.

A request has recently been made for additional information about the planning process to be published on the school website.   The head and governing body hope this additional information will be enable parents and the public to better understand the planning process and how plans can be viewed and commented upon.

Which planning authority have the plans been submitted to?

·       The planning authority is Cambridgeshire County Council and the planning application is a Regular 3 application. A Regular 3 application allows the council to be the planning authority for the county councils own development in schools.

Does the planning application have a reference number?

·       Yes, the planning application reference number is: C/5008/16/CC.

Where can I see the planning application?

·       All planning applications are available to view on the planning authorities website.  To view a planning application follow the link below and use the planning application reference number C/5008/16/CC

·       http://planning.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/swift/apas/run/wphappcriteria.display

How can I comment on the plans?

·    To comment on the planning application, view the planning application on the planning authorities website as described above.  The webpage will allow you to comment on the planning application.

·       The link below gives additional information about how to comment on planning applications

·       http://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/info/20099/planning_and_development/234/planning

Where else can I see the plans for proposed re-development?

·       The plans continue to be available to view in Morley’s community room.  Please contact the office if you would like to view them.

Where can I find out more about the proposed re-development?

·       Information about the planned redevelopment continues to be available on the school website.

When will parents hear more about the planning application?

·       At present there are no further developments to report apart from the notification that the planning application has been submitted which was in the newsletter of 9^th Sept 2016.   Once the school hears back from the planning authority, the head and governors will inform parents of the outcome.

In the Autumn Term, one of the most important roles for governors is to agree a school development plan for the academic year. Governors agree the most important areas to focus on and goals to work towards. The head and staff then develop a detailed plan to make the make sure the goals are achieved.

Governors gather information from lots of different sources to make sure we are picking the right priorities. For example, we discuss priorities with the head teacher in governors meetings, we talk to teachers and pupils during visits to the school, we ask for the opinion of parents in the annual survey and we look at government documents that allow us to compare the results of children at Morley with other schools across the country.

Priorities for this year include:

* Pupil outcomes: Improving attainment in writing and maths and further improving outcomes for children receiving pupil premium and who have English as an additional language.

* Leadership and management: Continuing to develop the role of subject and year group leaders and using the Equalities Award and Artsmark framework to further develop provision.

* Teaching, learning and assessment: Reviewing how feedback is given to children, further developing effectiveness of differentiation and developing more outstanding teaching.

* Behaviour, safety and wellbeing: Further reducing low-level disruption, developing the role of pupils in preventing bullying behaviour and improve school procedures for dealing with bullying incidents. Re-designing the school council so pupil voice has greater impact.

More information about the work of the governing body can be found here.

Nicky Odgers, Chair of Governors