Arbour Vale School achieved the Leading Parent Partnership Award (LPPA) in May 2022. This prestigious award recognises schools for the work they do in partnership with parents and families of the pupils at the school.

The award citation said the evidence provided by the school was outstanding and said, “Parental engagement is a central principle of the school and there is a high level of parental engagement.”

Mr Neil Sykes, the Principal said, “The LPPA journey reflects the school’s commitment to work in collaboration with parents to ensure that our children enjoy high quality provision. The collaborative team culture within our learning community will continue to grow – driven as always by the hopes and aspirations of our young people.”

Examples of good practice in the report include the use of Seesaw, an online platform that supports pupils’ learning and communication with parents about their child and their learning. It also highlighted the school’s commitment to offering a wide range of training opportunities for parents and carers, for example the ASD Parent Support Group.

The report also recognised the school’s consultative approach with pupils and their families. It said pupils are very proud of their school and value the ways in which their parents are involved.

One parent said, “Parents love the school, they are engaged with the school. Staff are very dedicated, very caring and there is so much support for parents here, the support for parents is outstanding.”

Another parent said how all parents are valued and supported, particularly those where English is their second language. Information is translated and there are frequently translators at events. Urdu speaking parents are delighted that a seven-week course about special needs parenting is being provided in Urdu.