Leading Parent Partnership Award
Students and staff at Wodensborough Ormiston Academy (WOA) in Wednesbury are celebrating after the academy was recognised for its work to positively engage parents.
The academy has been awarded a Leading Parent Partnership Award for its “person-centred approach” to working with parents and carers and efforts to build positive, collaborative relationships with parents of all its students.
The Leading Parent Partnership Award, assessed by Optimus Education, scrutinises a school’s work to engage parents in several key areas. Assessors look for evidence of improved pupil progress, punctuality, attendance and behaviour, and increased parental involvement in school life.
In their report on parental engagement at WOA, the assessors noted the “welcoming and communicative nature of the academy” and the “consistent commitment from all staff” at the academy to supporting parents.
The report highlighted the academy’s “partnership ethos”, which sees parents, staff and support agencies working closely together. It also praised WOA for taking a “person-centred approach”, which recognises the needs of “the whole child and family” to develop “individualised provision.”
The assessors found that staff across all departments at the academy “communicate effectively and advocate for families where required”. Parents they spoke to also praised the academy’s “welcoming” staff, noting that “help was always on hand” to answer any questions and provide advice.
WOA, which is sponsored by Ormiston Academies Trust (OAT), is the first secondary school in Sandwell to receive this designation. The academy is now keen to work with other local schools to share best practice on parental engagement and to support them to implement new measures.
Leigh Moore, Principal said
“We are incredibly proud of our local community and of the work of staff, students and stakeholders in building a strong partnership between school and home.”
“Our students and their families are at the heart of all that we do at WOA – we will endeavour to further develop the links with our parents so that we can deliver on the best possible education for all our students.”
Robert Pritchard, Regional Direct West for OAT said
“I am delighted to see WOA recognised for all its fantastic work to engage parents and carers in the life of the academy. The partnership between home and school is so important to ensure that students and their families are well-supported and that all the young people we serve are able to fulfil their potential.”