RATHO PRIMARY SCHOOL
RATHO SCHOOL VOICE
Minutes of meeting on Thursday 2nd March 2017 at 7pm
Present: Rachel Lytollis, Gillian Brown, Nicola Littlejohn, Jackie Wake, Emma Hughes, Jen Adams,
Sarah Parfery, Rachel Woods, Morag MacLachlan.
Apologies: Michael Lloyd, Louise Lloyd, Lisa McCarthy, Neil Langhorn, Vicki Wallace, Sam Mitchel,
Lizzie Booden, Claire Baker, Annette Wilson, Helen Morris, Gillian Fraser, Michaela Muir, Jennie
Edmondson, Leanne Horsburgh, Jayne Smith, Karen Borthwick, Cécile Robertson, Catherine Shaw
and Christina Enever
1. Staffing update
Mr Welander is taking 3 weeks of parental leave during the weeks beginning 17 April, 24 April & 22
May. Mr Clarke will cover all P4/5 teaching time & Miss Lytollis will be Mr Clarke’s mentor for the
duration. Mrs Fleming & Miss Gordon will continue with Mr Welander's STEM plan.
Mrs Hall returns to P1/2 on Tuesday 2nd May, covering Mondays and Tuesdays. Mrs Campbell
remains Wednesday, Thursday and Friday on her current temporary contract.
Mrs R has left (moved to Saudi). Miss Vergani has taken over her role. Mr Riley-Morrison starts in
the next few weeks. They will be covering extra support needs across P3-6.
2. DRAFT class structure for next session, 2017-18
The school roll is currently around 220 (excluding nursery) and projected as 241 for next session.
The proposed class structure below is not final and subject to change. Any concerns with the
proposed structure, please contact Miss Lytollis.
There will be 10 classes, broken down as follows:
- P1a - 22 kids (3 spaces)
- P1b - 21 kids (4 spaces)
- P2 - 23 kids (7 spaces) existing P1
- P2/3 - 23 kids (2 spaces) existing P1/2 - thought has been given to logistics of P2 finishing at
an earlier time to P3 children. Families affected by composites to be contacted nearer the
time by Miss Lytollis.
- P3 - 29 kids (1 space) existing P2
- P4a - 21 kids (12 spaces) previous P2a
- P4b - 21 kids (12 spaces) previous P2b
- P5 - 28 kids (5 spaces)
- P6 - 29 kids (4 spaces)
- P6/7 - 25 kids (full) includes 5 P6s. Families affected by composites to be contacted nearer
the time by Miss Lytollis.
Notes:
- These figures do not include out of catchment kids (although do include the new Cala estate
which hasn't yet been allocated to any catchment).
- Figures do include those who registered but a deferral is likely.
- Between deferrals and out of catchment kids, things tend to balance out.
- Not currently seeing the same rate of joiners (moving into the village), but this may change
with next release of Cala.
- P1 - P2/3 are likely to be located in the new Canal View building.
- P3 - P6/7 are likely to be in the main building.
3. NIF (National Improvement Framework)
Key drivers have been communicated to kids and staff. Jen, Jackie & Sarah volunteered to assist Miss
Lytollis with communication to parents.
4. Pupil Equity Fund
£15,600 has been made available to address the poverty related attainment gap. Thoughts on how
this will be spent are to be discussed with staff first and then with parents at the next RSV meeting.
5. School Dinners
A new catering assistant started on Monday. We now have 3 catering assistants which has eased
things.
Food quality is better & there are less muddles with orders. 2 way communication has improved
with feedback taken on board and improvements seen.
Now offering all children seconds.
Remaining issues linked to food travelling, so with regard to opening our kitchen… We are working
with Hillwood & Kirkliston, who are also keen for us to open our kitchen. Heads will pull together
figures to help make a joint case, then all parent councils can write letters to back it up.
Note, our kitchen would need complete refurb but at least plumbing etc is all still in place.
6. Playground
The Council firmed up rules, but there is now a time consuming process in place which may take
around a year. Miss Lytollis will start process with Nicola Mowat & Neil Langhorn.
7. School website
Miss Lytollis to meet with Brian Booden, a parent who has progressed the creation of the website.
The website is to be prioritised and up before the summer holidays.
8. SQIP (School Quality Improvement Plan) Update
Findings are now to be summarised from each group and then the school will launch what they
intend to do next session, after summer.
9. School Uniform
Tesco school uniform was suggested as an alternative supplier. Feedback from other schools is it
holds colour better and wears better than what we have now. Not everything is available e.g.
Reversible blazer & gym kit bags (just the bags unavailable). This may be a good thing though, with
perhaps less gym kit mix-ups.
Tesco charge for delivery, but offer free delivery on larger bulk orders and click and collect is in the
pipeline.
The Tesco uniform will cost less than the current uniform, count towards club card points and will
donate a percentage of sales cost back to our school.
Still being considered are colour and a suggestion that RSV fund P7 jumpers, which are presented at
the end of P6.
10. Mud - Can anything be done?
Gillian Brown secured 400 trees from woodland trust to be planted selectively in the hope their
roots will help soak up some of the water.
Tree planting around the new building may help with the wet area that never dries out and
underground streams.
Miss Lytollis to look into matting under trim trail as this was meant to have been addressed.
On the positive side, there are less skinned knees and accidents are down.
The school recommend bringing wellies and waterproof trousers on wet days and ask that we also
check with our children if they have indoor shoes at school.
Actions: Rachel L to investigate matting under trim trail.
11. New wildlife club
Children are likely to eat packed lunch outside after school on a Friday and be supervised by Earth
Calling staff before the club starts.
12. Outside supervision, before school
Clarification of rules...Parents of children at breakfast club have signed a disclaimer to say their
children are allowed out to play with no supervision. Some children, not at breakfast club, were
getting dropped off 45mins or more before school starts. The note home asked that this be discontinued. Children arriving a reasonable time e.g. 10 mins before school starts may play
unsupervised in the school grounds at parents’ discretion.
13. P7 leavers event
Miss Lytollis would like this to be more of a school led event. Claire Dixon has also offered her
support. RSV happy to offer financial support based on a similar budget to last year (£410).
Actions: Mel to contact Miss Tumblety to look at options.
14. Fundraising
Trolls cinema night raised £126 and photography £200. Feedback for both has been generally
favourable. We will look to continue both events. Farmers market (organised by school) is set for 17
March. P6 is running the cafe this year. Miss Gordon has asked for P6 parent helpers.
15. Spending RSV funds
Miss Lytollis & Nicola Mowatt are to meet and look at how they would like to draw down the
available £7k of RSV funds, as priorities have changed since the start of the year. This will be
communicated out to RSV membership for approval.