Parents / Carers

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At the City of Birmingham School we understand that parental support makes a big difference to our students' success. This page has useful links and information specifically aimed at parents. Note that some of these links are to third party sites and while we have checked them they could be updated in the future. Welcome to COBS!

The City of Birmingham School builds upon the schools core values and creates behavioural expectations for all areas of the school, emphasising the core behaviour that should apply to every situation.  It is purposely simple to ensure all learners, parents and staff can remember our three simple rules and apply them consistently. Our rules require all pupils to be Ready, Respectful and Responsible.

Positive relationships with pupils are essential to our behaviour management and staff receive training on how to encourage positive and meaningful conversations with learners to promote trust and instil confidence, so that pupils believe that their school is an environment where they can succeed and achieve and that the staff are there to support them along the way. 

These three values are displayed in every centre across the whole school in order to maintain a focus on positive behaviour and to encourage pupils to understand how their behaviour impacts themselves, and others and how they can make changes that will have a positive impact in the future.

Staff training days 2022-23

Whole School – Monday 5th September 2022

Whole School – Tuesday 6th September 2022

Ashbourne - Friday 16th September & Monday 19th September 2022

Stratford Park - Friday 23rd September & Monday 26th September 2022

Firsbrook - Friday 30th September & Monday 3rd October 2022

Millpool - Friday 7th October & Monday 10th October 2022

Grove - Friday 14th October & Monday 17th October 2022

Kings - Friday 4th November & Monday 7th November 2022

Link - Friday 11th November & Monday 14th November 2022

Whole School – Tuesday 3rd January 2023

Whole School – Friday 28th April 2023


Parent Mail - Improving School Communications with ParentMail -ParentMail Welcome Pack
Communicating with parents is an important part of what we do, making sure you get the correct information about activities, events and things that really matter is something we care about.  

From May 2019 we have been using ParentMail, ParentMail Poster a service used by over 6,000 schools, nurseries and children’s clubs to communicate to parents. ParentMail is beneficial to you because you can:

  • Use a free mobile app on Android and iOS to pick up school messages instantly.
  • Complete forms, give consent/permissions and give feedback on surveys.
  • Keep on top of school meetings and events.
  • Book parents’ evening appointments.
  • And much, much more!

Registering with ParentMail is very easy! Over the next few days you will be sent either an email and/or text message from ParentMail, when you receive this please just follow the instructions in the message. ParentMail Registeration-Poster

Please be assured that ParentMail is registered with the Information Commissioner and guarantees that all information you provide will be kept private and will not be passed on to any other organisation.

Once registered, if you have an Android or Apple smartphone, we highly recommend you download the ParentMail App for the best user experience.To do this, simply search for “ParentMail” in your App store.

If you need any additional information or assistance, please visit the help site: https://www.parentmail.co.uk/help/parenthelp/  or if you have not received any contact from ParentMail within 7 days please contact the Centre your child attends for further assistance.

School Travel  - this the link to the website https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/info/50052/school_travel
School Travel (part of Birmingham City Council)  work with families and young people to develop travel solutions that help children and young people to access education in the same way as other people their age.
Free School Meals 
How to claim free school meals

You may be eligible to claim free school meals for your child, up to the age of 19-years-old, if you (or your child) get one of the following:

  • Income support
  • Income-based Jobseeker Allowance
  • Support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
  • Child Tax Credit (provided you’re not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190)
  • Working Tax Credit run-on (paid for the 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit)
  • The guaranteed element of State Pension Credit
  • Universal Credit

To claim a free school meal you should ask your child’s school or nursery for an application form. You will need to complete the form and return it to the school/nursery, along with evidence to support your application.

Support For Parents which is this links https://parentinfo.org/
Parent Info provides support and advice to parents, with contributions from leading experts and organisations with matters related to young people and families in a digital world.

Letters to Parents

CORONAVIRUS - GUIDANCE FOR PARENTS/CARERS

Thursday 5th March 2020

Dear Parent / Carer,

I am sure you have seen the media coverage surrounding the Corona virus outbreak across the globe and the cases being confirmed in the UK are growing, it seems, by the hour. 

Guidance for parents

Although the current risk in the UK is low, we aim to be as proactive as possible in raising awareness and encouraging cleanliness amongst our students.

What we are doing

  • Increased awareness of cleanliness in our toilet and eating areas
  • Provided our students with ‘preventing infection’ information
  • Increased the number of toilet monitoring checks so that soap is constantly available and lasting cleanliness achieved
  • Increased the cleaning frequency of public spaces and shared items, e.g. door handles, desks

Section 3 of the DFE guidance for schools reminds us how to prevent infection, it has been the basis of the information we have provided to our students and our preventative measures outlined above.

What you can do

The guidance is very clear about how to seek medical advice if you are concerned about your health by calling NHS 111.

The only reason to isolate your child would be:

  • If they have had contact with a confirmed case
  • If you have returned from a category 1 country/area
  • If you have returned from a category 2 country/area and have developed symptoms (cough, difficulty in breathing, fever)

If you have travelled abroad (even if it is not to a category 1 or 2 area) please let us know so we can manage effectively the concerns of others.

To review which areas are currently Category 1 and 2 country/areas please visit www.gov.uk

One of the best strategies to delay and block the spread of the virus is practising good personal hygiene, including washing hands regularly and for at least 20 seconds and following the principles of catch it, bin it, kill it for coughs and sneezes.

If pupils or staff are diagnosed or come into direct contact with someone with the virus in the coming days and weeks, we will take advice from the relevant agencies and take all action recommended up to and including, if required, closing centres for a period and deep cleaning centres.

If children are diagnosed or come into direct contact with someone who is diagnosed with the virus then please inform centre as a matter of urgency and make contact with NHS direct on 111 for further guidance.

If you are concerned at all then you are free to contact centre directly at any point. If you or someone you are in contact with is diagnosed with the virus please inform centre at the earliest opportunity.

Yours sincerely,

SPH

Mr Steve Howell

Head Teacher

City of Birmingham School


Announcement