Dear Parents and Carers,
At Newdale, we deeply value the views of our pupils and their families. Your feedback is regularly shared with our school teams and plays a vital role in shaping our decisions and practices.
We gather pupil voice in every Governor meeting (Minimum of 21 meetings a year!), and our phase and subject leaders collect further input throughout the year. We strongly believe that the partnership between home and school is essential, with our children at the heart of all we do. Trust, openness, and honest communication are key to that relationship.
I have always prioritised an ‘open door’ policy, ensuring families have multiple ways to connect with us—class emails, staff available at drop-off and pick-up (including senior leaders), office support, and home-school communication books are just a few of those channels. Our aim is for you to be able to reach us easily and quickly, whenever needed.
We are incredibly grateful to the 100+ parents who completed our end-of-year survey. Your ongoing support is so appreciated.
We have now finalised our review of this year’s survey responses. While we recognise that it is not always possible to meet every individual expectation, please be assured that every team member works tirelessly to provide the best possible experience for your children. Having visited many schools, I can confidently say Newdale has a fantastic offer. This is consistently affirmed by external professionals, including our School Improvement Advisor, local authority visits, safeguarding audits, and of course, Ofsted. We are extremely proud to have achieved a double ‘Outstanding’ rating in May 2023—a distinction held by very few schools nationwide. It is external reassurance that we continue to operate at a high standard. I understand that Ofsted grades are not the centre of our priorities, we are focused more on what we do and the impact we have on children’s outcomes.
A few responses in the survey indicated some concerns. One parent commented that I struggle to accept criticism and that my approach feels unprofessional. That feedback was difficult to read, but I believe firmly in accountability. If any member of the Newdale team falls short, I am always the first to apologise. Mistakes do happen, we are human, but I genuinely strive to be open, honest, and fair at all times. Seeking feedback twice a year is a reflection of that commitment, and I am always willing to learn and adapt.
I was surprised to see that some parents would not recommend Newdale to others. I would really welcome the opportunity to speak with any families who feel dissatisfied, to better understand and address their concerns. I believe that constructive dialogue is the cornerstone of improvement and progress.
We are always open to hearing your thoughts, but it’s important to remember that we are partners working together for your children, not on opposing sides.
Finally, thank you to the vast majority of parents who continue to be so supportive of Newdale. Your words and actions make a real difference. Please take a few minutes to read through the overall survey feedback.
Kind regards,
Miss Cook
Parent Survey Feedback For Parents Summer 2025