Parent Surveys and Feedback

Parent Surveys and Feedback Parents will be aware that there have been a number of parent surveys in the past year. The summary of the feedback from the various surveys is as follows. Parents will be aware that there have been a number of parent surveys in the past year, some as part of regular feedback for the school and Nord Anglia Education, others from ADEK or linked to virtual learning. Can I please thank all parents who have completed these surveys – it is always extremely helpful to receive parents’ views, perhaps never more so than in a year when we have experienced so much change.

As with all feedback, it is important to know what is going well and can be extended further, as well as what might not be going so well and can be improved. Even though the way society and schools operate remains changeable at present, there is a constant desire to keep improving everything we can do for our students. 

The summary of the feedback from the various surveys is as follows:

The quality of education remains exceptionally high. My acknowledgement here to all the staff and the parents who have done so much to support our students throughout the pandemic. In challenging times, the academic performance of BIS Abu Dhabi students continues to be of the highest level.

The quality of teaching is highlighted in particular in all the surveys.
 
Safety and happiness: the feedback on whether children feel safe and happy at school also remains very high. The quality of the school’s response to the pandemic and the level of the safety procedures is noted, something which is also backed up by all inspections from the local authorities.

Buses: there is increased positive feedback regarding the bus service. The school has worked closely with Shanawaz to ensure BIS Abu Dhabi is provided with their newest buses for all of our routes. On top of this I would also commend the bus drivers and bus monitors who do such a great job in caring for their students.

Communication: This is another area in which feedback has been increasingly positive. This isn’t an easy one as some people like lots of information and others prefer just the minimum! Whatever the individual views, the school will always try to provide families with the most up-to-date information via a variety of means. Even though this area is positive, please do always feel free to contact the teachers or the marketing department if there is anything further which could be helpful for your family.

Trips and co-curricular activities: Not surprisingly, this feedback on trips and co-curricular activities is less positive this year. I am sure we all understand the reasons why, but we do look forward positively. Firstly, we have seen light PE lessons commence recently as well as more sporting venues open up beyond school. We are hopeful that CCAs will be permitted to restart next year.  Regarding trips, I am pleased to report that plans are already being put in place for next year and there will be overseas trips on offer should travel restrictions be lifted. 

Student wellbeing: This is something that is something that is important to all of us and the feedback from all surveys continues to highlight this. Whilst many students have demonstrated great resilience in the past year, our care and support for them still needs to be present at all times. There has been a review of our pastoral and counselling provision for next year to take this situation into account. Prioritising social interaction as students continue to settle back into school is a key aspect. 

Similar to the point above, it is very much recognised that the pandemic has an impact on adults as well as children. The school will continue to work on activities which bring our community together, plus provide appropriate guidance for all of us for supporting children and families throughout this time.

Again, could I please extend my thanks to all parents for their ongoing communication and feedback to the school. As parents and staff we all try our best to help the children, and by sharing views in this way we can keep on aiming to give them the best education we possibly can.

Patrick Horne
Principal