The CSPA has a role in aiding communication between parents and the school. We are collecting and collating issues that parents have, which we then raise with the Head at CSPA Committee meetings.
If you have any issues that you would like us to raise, please email them to the Chairman, David Hensley, at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Issues raised by Parents in informal discussions with CSPA Executives
Student Health – are day pupils allowed to use the Medical Centre? (parents claimed their daughters were told it was just for Boarding pupils)
Student Counselling – what is the limit? could more be provided? (different parent said their daughter, who has some serious issues, was told she couldn’t get any more) – can we clarify the rules so parents know? (and post them on the CSPA website?)
Oxbridge – how seriously does the school promote Oxbridge entry? Could more be done to build links and to coach pupils for Oxbridge? (parent claimed Maidstone Grammar asks 6th form pupils and parents if they are interested in Oxbridge, and give lot of support right through the 6th form)
Motivating pupils – could more be done to push those that aren’t working hard? (“ the school pays attention to the very motivated and those at the bottom but doesn't necessarily get the best from the unmotivated by motivating them”)
Lower 6th – could the parents evening be brought forward, (parents feeling that the workload is higher than GCSE, but don’t get feedback until possibly too late)
Critical Thinking – if pupils are to take this exam, could it be explicitly taught? (esp. for pupils in Gifted & Talented)
Personal Statements for University – could this have more structured support and critical assessment? Could the school involve/advise parents from lower 6th, so they can support their children in developing the things they need to be able to put into the personal statements?
Sports – could there be more student choice from the beginning, e.g. making Soccer an option? (several new parents). Also, could the school enter more national competitions (e.g. Daily Mail Rugby Cup)
Sports Matchline – doesn’t seem to be updated consistently
Online engagement with parents – some people have problems accessing the Parent Gateway (whereas others, myself included, find it works very well) – can we re-publicise how to use it?
Links to Cranbrook School in the USA – are there any? Could exchanges be offered?
Website/School Calendar – could the on-line version be updated when events move (e.g. the 6th form art life drawing weekend). Could copies of notes to Parents about events, e.g. on the Tanzania evening, be posted on the website? Could there be a daily/weekly what's-going-on-today/this week post on the website? “as otherwise an awful lot gets missed by the children (particularly the boys, it seems!)”
