The good things about our schools

Cuts, restructuring, costs, staffing, SATS. And this doesn't even get me started on special educational needs and disabilities.  There seems to be plenty to be concerned about, and rightly so - our schools are vital, our kids education important. As Parliament seems to be fighting over what should be done with our schools I asked some online to tell me what they thought their kids schools did well - what was happening in their schools now that they wanted to celebrate? Here's what some fellow bloggers said.


A - Acceptance
My son goes to a special needs school and I love the fact that although each child's needs are so different and some children are unable to speak the children all know and greet each other appropriately (ie signing if necessary) the children all are still seen as individuals and not labels of their diagnosis' www.justaveragejen.com

C - Community 
I love my daughter’s school. All the children know each other and all the teachers know all the children. It's a little village school, only 115 kids so it's a really nice little community. www.eastsussexmummy.wordpress.com

Being part of the village community. The school takes part in a large street market each year, they have sales of plants they grow each year and invite the villagers into school to help raise funds. Plus they use the village church and village hall for activities. It's only a tiny school but the village community is very important to them. www.champagneandpetals.com

H - Health
Promoting healthy lifestyles. Our kids all do a daily mile and it's nice to see them exercising and being outdoors Twinderelmo.co.uk

Vegetarian menus, which is refreshing! They even contact me for my input! Seeingrainbows.co.uk

E - Experiences
New experiences - they may only be at primary school (state) but my boys have already been able to learn clarinet, guitar, dance in festivals, try out morris dancing, sing in choirs, learn foreign languages, go to the theatre, visit the city farm, act in Roahl Dahl plays, write a song about their area which is regularly sung in school assembly and been to a chocolate factory - all for free or very little money. And not because of the national curriculum but because of the dedication of the teachers. www.myboysclub.co.uk

My school pay for everyone to visit the panto in Newcastle ever year as a treat for those who have followed the behaviour policy. It would cost me £150+ for me to buy tickets for us all and I think panto is a fab part of our heritage/culture. I am always grateful that our children get this experience www.northeastfamilyfun.co.uk

At my youngest's school they pick a pupil from each class to attend an Afternoon Tea with the headmistress once a week - they are picked if they've shown to be using their school 'values'. They go to the Headmistress's office where they sit on comfy chairs and have squash (or tea in the case of my daughter) and biscuits while chatting about school, where they went on holiday etc. They then get a little certificate in their bag to tell the parents :) www.packthepjs.com

I - Inclusion
I love the mix of cultures and religions in my children's school. They celebrate different festivities throughout the year with the same enthusiasm and get all the children involved. My children understand a lot more about different cultures than I did at their age. I think this will be really valuable to them throughout their lives. www.mymummyspennies.com

Inclusion. No matter what happens they turn it into a positive. Everyone is welcomed and celebrated. www.mummytimestwo.com

Ours is still nursery but they're really good at keeping us parents informed. We have a book which is updated daily with his meals, sleeps, nappies etc and then an online portal where they put photos of him each day and a little description. It's the highlight of my day when I get an email notification saying that a new photo's been added! devonmama.com

V - Variety
Carol Cliffe I love that our school uses some of its budget to cover teachers' planning time with visiting teachers, including great music teachers, French, and lots of different sports. http://www.familymakes.com

E - Enjoyable
School spirit, my kids r so proud of their school! www.epsandamy.co.uk

Mixing the years, I love that my children walk into the play ground and say hello to all children at different ages. It really builds a lovely friendly feel and gives the children a great sense of community spirit www.hollybobbs.co.uk

What a bizarre coincidence - it makes a lovely little acronym - ACHIEVE.  It's surely what we all want for our kids at school, for them to achieve their potential, whatever that may be.

What things would you add?