Findings from surveys:

2021

In February/March 2021 we surveyd parents and carers to learn about their experience of lockdown and the impact of COVID on family life and their child's education. We are so grateful to everyone who took the opportunity to feedback and were thrilled to recieve over 200 responses. A summary of fedback can be seen here:

PDF iconPost Lockdown Parent Survey Findings 2021

2020

Outcomes from our 2020 survey can be seen in the document below. We recievdd 108 responses to this survey - thankyou to everyone who took the time to share their views.

PDF iconParent Engagement Survey Findings 2020

2017

Thank you to everyone who recently completed the Parent Engagement Survey 2017. This is one of the ways in which we seek the views of parents and we place great importance on your responses. We very much appreciate you taking the time to complete the survey and overall, we received 100 responses.

The attached document shows a detailed analysis of the feedback you have given and we have identified some areas where we hope to respond to your comments. If you have any follow-up questions to the survey, please do come and speak to us.  

We asked four parents at Ark Blacklands Primary Academy what they thought about the school - here's what they had to say:

Katie Evans: As an ex pupil of Blacklands myself (many many years ago!), it’s really special that my two sons go to Ark Blacklands. They really do love going to school, they are always happy to go into school which I always think is a good sign that they’re happy here. 

Since starting in reception, I’ve watched my boys grow and excel academically over the past 6 years and this is a credit to Ark Blacklands. My eight year old often amazes me which some interesting facts he has learnt at school. 

Ark Blacklands is an excellent school. The learning environment is safe and inclusive and fun for all. The staff are brilliant with the children and I feel they encourage each and every child to the best of their abilities. 

I often recommend Ark Blacklands to other parents. The school has excellent facilities and recently installed a new Multi Use Games Area (MUGA) which my sports mad 10 year old loves. He also loves being part of the schools football and athletic teams. 

I myself am part of the schools PTA know as Friends for Ark Blacklands (FAB). The school really appreciate and support the PTA with many teachers volunteering their time to help at our many events, helping to bring the whole school community together. 

As parents we are kept up to date through the weekly newsletters and regular parents evenings and there’s always a friendly face on the gate at pick ups or drop offs if you have a question.

The school has a fantastic atmosphere, full of happy smartly dressed and well behaved children.

Jacqui Warden has had three children attend Ark Blacklands before joining secondary school. For her, it’s the caring atmosphere at Ark Blacklands which makes it a great school. She says: “The children are really well looked after – every person who works here, from the Principal to the cleaning staff, always have a smile and a kind word for the children. It’s a very caring environment.
 
“I remember that when I was a child, I was scared of some of the staff at my school. But the staff are all really nice and really committed to the children – they get to know the children, and they look after them.
 
“This is a very good school. My older children went here and always came home happy; my younger daughter has just left Year 6 and loved coming to school. The school has a really good rewards system to encourage pupils – so, for example, when the children meet their target, the school sends home a certificate so they can share their achievement with parents. My daughter loves telling me if she’s star of the day. She wants to be the best she can be.”

 

Karen Osmond’s family has known Ark Blacklands for a long time – her husband went to the school as a child – and she says the school has kept up great standards: “My husband went here years ago and it was always known as one of the best schools for miles around. Since it became an academy, it has really excelled.
 
“When I was looking at schools, I wanted to see well-behaved children, who had the sense that they were at school for a purpose. I saw that at Ark Blacklands and it made me so comfortable to send my children there.
 
“The school makes sure I know what my children’s targets are and they’re well taught, so they’re well ahead of them. The children know what their targets are. 
 
“The staff here care about the kids and really want them to do well – I’m more than happy with Ark Blacklands. If you’re looking for a school that encourages children to excel, this is the school for you.”