Families

Family Partnerships

Although staff and students would like to see families at St Joseph’s as often as possible; it is recognised and fully understood by staff that many families find it difficult to take full advantage of the activities and celebrations on offer, due to the distance away they live and family commitments.

Open Door Policy

We try to make the school as open and accessible as possible to families, so that small problems don’t become large problems, for our students.

We believe in keeping open and frank lines of communication between home and school, so that difficulties can be shared and we can all work towards the same goals. An informal weekly telephone call is made to each family, to celebrate achievements and discuss needs.

In addition to termly and in some cases half termly EHCP interim review meetings, the school operates an ‘open-door’ policy, whereby families can speak to the Executive Principal or any other member of staff, at either the start or end of the school day.

Link Files

Home / School Link Files are used by St Joseph’s to keep families fully informed of achievements and progress at school, and for families to let us know of any achievements or changes that occurred during their time at home.

Reports

Written reports on students are prepared annually for the EHCP Annual Review Meeting. Therapists and other professionals may also prepare reports at other times during the year.

Health Care and Wellbeing

Our surgery team are fully aware of minor and longer term medical issues that may affect students’ learning and wellbeing in school, such as asthma, epilepsy etc.  A member of the surgery team is always available for families to discuss and, where appropriate, advise on these issues.

Events, Presentations, Celebrations and Masses

Families are invited to half-termly celebration Masses and other assemblies. Other events, presentations and celebrations such as our Annual Carol Service, Arts Week, Work Related Learning Activities, Leavers Presentations, Sports Day and Christmas Fair happen annually. Coffee mornings are held regularly during term time, and dates can be found in the school newsletters. These events are well attended and always special for the families of the students who take part.

Family Workshops

We hold regular Family Workshops on subjects of interest. These events are informative and great fun. They usually end with a delicious supper and an opportunity to chat informally with staff and with other families.