Feedback from Stakeholders

At the College, we regularly gather feedback from a variety of stakeholders to evaluate how we are progressing on our journey. This feedback is usually gathered through surveys and focus groups, and forms an important part of our self-evaluation and strategic planning.

Parents' views about the College

During November 2021, over 250 parents responded to a survey about the College. It was a fantastic opportunity to receive feedback from such a large group of parents at one time. Some notable points from the results are as follows:

86% of parents state that their child is happy at this school
90% of parents state that their child feels safe at this school
72% of parents feel that the school makes sure its students are well behaved
58% of parents state that their child has not been bullied at this school (another 9% weren’t sure of the answer). Of the percentage of parents that had reported bullying to the school, 61% felt that it was dealt with quickly and effectively.
Of the parents that have raised a concern with the school, 70% felt that it was dealt with properly
80% of parents believe that their child does well at this school
83% of parents acknowledge that there is a good range of subjects available to their child at this school

85% of parents would recommend this school to another parent

Parents were asked to rate the College against the following statements:

‘My child is happy at this school’
‘My child feels safe at this school’
‘The school makes sure that its pupils are well behaved’
‘My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively’
‘The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year’
‘When I have raised concerns with the school, they have dealt with them properly’
‘My child has SEND, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed’
‘The school has high expectations of my child’
‘My child does well at this school’
‘The school lets me know how my child is doing’
‘There is a good range of subjects available to my child at this school’
‘My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school’
‘The school supports my child’s wider personal development’
‘I would recommend this school to another parent’

As a leadership team, we will now focus on the areas that parents identified as ones where we have an opportunity to further improve as a College. Specifically, making sure that we communicate more effectively so that you know how your child is doing (only 70% of parents feel we do this well enough), and also about what students will be learning (only 54% stated that we do this well). Additionally, ensuring that we maintain our high expectations of our students (63% of parents feel that we have high expectations for their child).

Parent Survey Results - Autumn 2021.pdf

Remote Learning Survey Results - Parents - February 2021.pdf

Remote Learning Survey Results - Parents - June 2020.pdf

Students' views about the College

In June 2022, students were asked to complete a survey about their experiences at the College. Over 290 students completed the survey, with the following results:

74% - I enjoy school some or most of the time
76% - Teachers help me to do my best
86% - My teachers give me work that challenges me
74% - I enjoy learning at this school
78% - Teachers listen to what I have to say in lessons
77% - There is an adult at school I can talk to if something is worrying me
62% - The behaviour of other pupils in my lessons is good
69% - The behaviour of other pupils around the school is good (outside of lessons)
87% - I feel safe when I am at school
76% - My school encourages me to look after my physical health
76% - My school encourages me to look after my emotional health and wellbeing
78% - I have opportunities to take part in activities outside of lessons (e.g. clubs, sports, music, art)
84% - My school encourages me to be independent and to take on responsibilities
91% - My school encourages me to respect people from other backgrounds and to treat everyone equally
74% - I would recommend this school to a friend moving into the area

Student focus groups were held with students from Years 7 to 10 during May and June 2022 to better understand their experiences of peer-on-peer harms (bullying, racism and homophobia). The following questions were used as a conversation starter:

What, if any, bullying behaviour are you seeing and hearing around the College?
Are you telling an adult when you experience bullying? If so, who are you telling? If not, why not?
What, if anything, is done if you report bullying to a member of staff?
How could the college do a better job of dealing with bullying?

As expected, each year group had a different perspective of bullying based on their age and level of maturity. Examples that students cited ranged from isolated incidents of name calling based on physical attributes such as hair colour, body shape, and height in the younger year groups, to online examples of bullying through social media apps such as TikTok in the older. The older students told us about very specific behaviours such as racism, homophobia and misogyny displayed by small groups or individuals, as well as more generalised harmful language as reflected in wider society. As a result of our findings, an initial response has been put in place as follows:

Reinforcement of the Great Learners Charter through assemblies in Term 6
Support from the Police regarding online bullying as part of assemblies
A targeted PSHE scheme of work on bullying for Term 6 (for year groups)
Learning Mentor activities focussing on peer-on-peer harms and what makes a good friend.
Critical Thinking Tasks for Term 6 focussing specifically on bullying
Development of an online reporting system for students as part of Class Charts

Wellbeing Survey Results - Students - November 2021.pdf

Wellbeing Survey Results - Students - July 2021.pdf

Remote Learning Survey Results - Students - February 2021.pdf

Remote Learning Survey Results - Students - June 2020.pdf

Staff views about the College

A full survey of staff was conducted in Autumn 2021, to which 75 staff responded. Some notable points from the results of the survey:

92% state that their manager is considerate of their life outside work (66% in March 2019)
68% state they have an acceptable workload (58% in March 2019)
65% believe they achieve a good balance between work life and private life (54% in March 2019)
83% feel that they are treated fairly at work (76% in March 2019)
85% feel that they are treated with respect at work (80% in March 2019)
78% feel valued for the work they do (55% in March 2019)
89% feel that the school respects individual differences (68% in March 2019)
80% feel that they have some really good friendships at work (82% in March 2019)
84% feel they are able to access the right learning and development opportunities when they need to (43% in March 2019)
93% are clear of what is expected of them (79% in March 2019)
74% feel that the school as a whole is well managed (34% in March 2019)
70% feel that change is managed well here (25% in March 2019)

The survey covered the following areas:

My work

‘I am interested in my work’
‘I am sufficiently challenged in my work’
‘My work gives me a sense of personal accomplishment’
‘I feel involved in decisions that affect my work’
‘I have a choice in deciding how I do my work’

Organisational objectives and purpose

‘I have a clear understanding of my school’s purpose’
‘I have a clear understanding of my school’s objectives
‘I understand how my work contributes to my school’s objectives’

My manager

‘Overall, I have confidence in the decisions made by my manager’
‘I receive regular feedback on my performance’
‘My manager motivates me to be more effective in my job’
‘My manager is considerate of my life outside work’
'My manager is open to my ideas’
‘My manager recognises when I have done my job well’
‘Poor performance is dealt with effectively here’

My colleagues

‘The people here can be relied upon to help when things get difficult in my job’
‘The people here work together to improve the school’
‘The people here are encouraged to come up with new and better ways of doing things’

Learning and development

‘I am able to access the right learning and development opportunities when I need to’
‘Learning and development activities I have completed in the past 12 months have helped to improve my performance’
‘There are opportunities to develop my career at this school’

Inclusion and fair treatment

‘I am treated fairly at work’
‘I am treated with respect by the people I work with’
‘I feel valued for the work I do’
‘I think that this school respects individual differences (e.g. cultures, backgrounds, ideas, working styles, etc.)’

Resources and workload

‘In my job, I am clear what is expected of me’
‘I get information I need to do my job well’
‘I have the tools I need to do my job well’
‘I have an acceptable workload’
‘I achieve a good balance between my work life and private life’

Leadership and managing change

‘I feel that this school as a whole is managed well’
‘I feel that change is managed well here’
‘Overall, I have confidence in the decisions made by the leadership team’
‘The leadership team of this school is sufficiently visible’
‘I have the opportunity to contribute my views before decisions are made that affect me’
‘I have some really good friendships at work’
‘During the past 12 months, have you personally experienced bullying or harassment at work?’