WHEN OFSTED inspectors recommended improving communication with parents two years ago, St Antony's Catholic College took that on board to launch a successful initiative.

The Urmston church school set up a parents forum which meets every two months to generate ideas and offer advice.

Headteacher Fiona Wright said: “It's a two way channel, both parents and teachers listen to one another and both teachers and parents learn from one another.”

Chairman of the governors, Joanne Clark, added:“We have taken their advice on board. We have adjusted homework regimes to suit differing needs of differing pupils and instituted an improved rewards and sanctions scheme to incentivise good behaviour and hard work with tea and toast.

"Both ideas were directly taken from our parents.”

The parents too are keen to improve their contribution at home with both guest speakers and senior teachers talking on the dangers of cyber bullying, potential misuse of a range of substances and how best to support exam revision, among many contemporary topics,.

Parents Gary and Joanne Robinson said: “I cannot speak highly enough of this scheme and how much we appreciate being kept informed.

"It's all about improving the education and welfare of our children and that's what any parent wants.”

Fellow parent, Alison Connery, added: “There is so much that is so different about being a teenager now to when we were growing up and it's important to stay informed about the Internet and the all the dangers out there, as well as the benefits.”

Maria Richardson added: “We all appreciate the advice and feel the senior management is listening and acting on the advice we give in return.”

In the past two years GCSE examination results have improved dramatically with key performance indicators lower down the school showing a strong upward curve.

Mrs Wright concluded: “It's common sense really. I'm a teacher and parent myself and it's clearly evident that a strong bond between home and school is at the heart of a happy and successful school.”