Reporting and Parent Communication

This section contains useful information about how we monitor and communicate your child’s progress. You can also book parent evening appointments here.

School Gateway App

Class Charts App

School Reports

Parents’ Evenings

Stay Connected with School Gateway

Schoolgatewayapp, Horsforth School and Sixth Form

Our school uses Schoolcomms to keep parents up to date with important messages and reminders. These messages can be received in two ways:

    • Through the School Gateway app (free to download)
    • As a standard text message.

If you use the School Gateway app, you’ll:

    • Receive messages instantly on your phone
    • Be able to keep all school communications in one place
    • Help the school save money as every message sent through the app is free, while text messages cost the school budget.

That means more funds can be directed to where they matter most, supporting teaching and learning.

 

How to Get Started

  1. Download the School Gateway app from the App Store or Google Play.
  2. If accessing via the web, go to: https://login.schoolgateway.com/0/auth/login and select the New User tab.
  3. Register using the email address and mobile number we hold on record for you.
  4. You’ll then receive a PIN on a text. Enter this and the home screen will be displayed.
  5. You’re ready to go! Future messages will appear directly in the app.

Download On The App Store Button, Horsforth School and Sixth FormAndroid App Store Button, Horsforth School and Sixth Form

Keep Up to Date with Class Charts

Class Charts Parents App, Horsforth School and Sixth Form

Our school uses the Class Charts system to help support behaviour management and homework tracking at school. This system allows both staff and parents to keep up to date with how students are progressing in class and to stay informed about any homework that has been set.

Through the Class Charts Parent app, you will be able to:

    • View your child’s behaviour points and any incidents recorded in school
    • Keep track of homework deadlines
    • See their timetable and attendance
    • Receive messages or announcements from school.

Class Charts for parents can be accessed via their website, or through their iOS and Android apps.

 

How to Get Started

  1. Open classcharts.com/parent/login.
  2. Enter your email address.
  3. Choose ‘I don’t have an account yet’.
  4. Enter your parent access code the school has given you.
  5. Choose a password.
  6. Click Log-in.

    Download On The App Store Button, Horsforth School and Sixth FormAndroid App Store Button, Horsforth School and Sixth Form

    For Students Too

    We also encourage students to use the Class Charts Student app, which gives them a similar view of their behaviour points, homework tasks, and timetable, but from a student’s perspective. It helps them take responsibility for their own progress and stay organised.

    Class Charts for students can be accessed via their website, or through their iOS and Android apps.

    1. Go to classcharts.com/student/login.
    2. Enter the student access code given to you by the school. Remember to keep this safe!
    3. Click Log-in!

    School Reports

    Students will receive three Progress Review reports a year containing:

    • Attendance and behaviour summaries
    • Summary of their progress in each subject area
    • Attitude to learning scores.

    Reports for year groups 10 to 13 may also include current GCSE/A Level grades.

    Horsforth School places great emphasis upon developing and monitoring each student’s Attitude to Learning. It is our belief that if students consistently show a positive Attitude to Learning, there will be direct benefits on their achievement. We want our students to be curious learners who fully engage in every opportunity, and we expect them to take responsibility for their own learning through actively participating in lessons and developing their resilience to overcome challenges.

    We have 5 key elements that we will look for when assigning ATL scores:

    1. Engagement in class / Willingness to learn
    2. Resilience / Response to feedback and challenge
    3. Quality of work / Pride in what they do
    4. Behaviour for learning (including punctuality)
    5. Homework completion and quality

    The ATL scores are on a scale from 1-6. We expect our students to achieve a minimum score of 4 in all subjects but ask that they ‘Strive for 5’ at all times. Students who meet these expectations will be recognised and rewarded for their positive attitude. Any students who display a less positive attitude will be supported to make the most out of every learning opportunity.

    The table below shows what each score means:

    ATL Score Student Descriptor
    6

    What a student with an EXEMPLARY attitude looks like…

    • You are a highly self-motivated and independent learner, always trying to be the best you can
    • You show exceptional engagement with your learning and respond effectively to feedback
    • You always produce high quality work you can be proud of, including all homework tasks
    • You show a high level of respect to staff and students all of the time

    You already regularly go above and beyond staff expectations – keep it up!
    5

    What a student with a MOTIVATED attitude looks like…

    • You are an enthusiastic learner who is keen to succeed and usually seeks help when needed
    • You engage well with your leaning and respond positively to feedback and support
    • You try to produce high quality work you are proud of, including homework tasks
    • You show respect to staff and other students in all learning environments

    Even greater self-motivation and independence would help you demonstrate a more ambitious ATL
    4

    What a student with a COASTING attitude looks like…

    • You do what is asked of you in lessons but may sometimes lack drive and ambition
    • You complete the work set in line with your ability but sometimes it can lack pride or detail
    • You complete most homework tasks but may not actively seek help if you are struggling
    • You show respect to staff and other students in learning environments

    Increased enthusiasm and self-motivation would help you demonstrate a more ambitious ATL
    3

    What a student with an UNMOTIVATED attitude looks like…

    • You may show inconsistency in your approach to lessons and can lack focus in this subject
    • You may be too easily satisfied with your progress and be reluctant to act upon feedback
    • You may need reminding of some key expectations including taking pride in your work and completing homework and only meet staff expectations some of the time
    • You can be inconsistent in showing respect to staff and students at times

    Taking a more active role in your own learning would help you demonstrate a more ambitious ATL
    2

    What a student with a DISENGAGED attitude looks like…

    • You may often show a lack of desire to engage in your own learning in lessons in this subject
    • You may attempt tasks in class but give limited responses to feedback and leave work incomplete
    • You may sometimes need reminders about basic expectations around engagement, behaviour or completion of homework.
    • You can show a lack of respect through words or actions to staff and other students

    Addressing concerns raised by your teachers would help you demonstrate a more ambitious ATL
    1

    What a student with an UNSATISFACTORY attitude looks like…

    • You may regularly be off task and not bring your personal best to lessons in this subject
    • You may rarely meet staff expectations in the work you complete in lessons
    • You may need regular reminders about basic expectations around engagement, behaviour or completion of homework.
    • You show a concerning lack of respect to staff and students in lessons

    Addressing all concerns raised by your teachers would help you demonstrate a more ambitious ATL

    Please note: A score of zero is only assigned when a student does not attend lessons in that subject – this may be for a variety of reasons and is not a reflection of poor attitude, teachers are simply not able to assign a score of 1-6 due to student absence from that subject / class.

     

    Assessing Progress

    ATL scores will be shared (via Progress Review Reports) 3 times a year and the scores sent home via the Sims Parent App.

    In Years 10 and 11 staff might also report a current GCSE grade for their subject.

    Parents’ Evenings

    Parents’ Evenings

     

    We try to ensure that every parent has the opportunity to meet with their son/daughter’s teachers at least once during each academic year, at a year-group specific parents’ evening, held in the school hall and library.

    Book an Appointment

    Parents Evening Guide 2018 1, Horsforth School and Sixth Form

    Parents’ evenings will be held on the following dates:

    Year Group Parents’ Evening
    Year 7 4th June 2026
    Year 8 12th February 2026
    Year 9 26th February 2026
    Year 10 29th January 2026
    Year 11 27th November 2025
    Year 12 12th March 2026
    Year 13 11th December 2025

    Parents’ Guide for Booking Appointments

    Parents Evening Guide 2018 2, Horsforth School and Sixth Form

    Step 1: Login

    Fill out the details on the page then click the Log In button. A confirmation of your appointments will be sent to the email address you provide.
    Enter your unique login code shared by the school.

    Parents Evening Guide 2018 3, Horsforth School and Sixth Form

    Step 2: Select Parents’ Evening

    Click on the date you wish to book.
    Unable to make all of the dates listed? Click I’m unable to attend.

    Parents Evening Guide 2018 4, Horsforth School and Sixth Form

    Step 3: Select Booking Mode

    Choose Automatic if you’d like the system to suggest the shortest possible appointment schedule based on the times you’re available to attend. To pick the times to book with each teacher, choose Manual. Then press Next.
    We recommend choosing the automatic booking mode when browsing on a mobile device..

    Parents Evening Guide 2018 5, Horsforth School and Sixth Form

    Step 4: Choose Teachers

    If you chose the automatic booking mode, drag the sliders at the top of the screen to indicate the earliest and latest you can attend.
    Select the teachers you’d like to book appointments with. A green tick indicates they’re selected. To de-select, click on their name.

    Parents Evening Guide 2018 6, Horsforth School and Sixth Form

    Step 5a (Automatic): Book Appointments

    If you chose the automatic booking mode, you’ll see provisional appointments which are held for 2 minutes. To keep them, choose Accept at the bottom left.
    If it wasn’t possible to book every selected teacher during the times you are able to attend, you can either adjust the teachers you wish to meet with and try again, or switch to manual booking mode (Step 5b).

    Parents Evening Guide 2018 7, Horsforth School and Sixth Form

    Step 5b (Manual): Book Appointments

    Click any of the green cells to make an appointment. Blue cells signify where you already have an appointment. Grey cells are unavailable.
    To change an appointment, delete the original by hovering over the blue box and clicking Delete. Then choose an alternate time.
    Once you’re finished booking all appointments, at the top of the page in the alert box, press click here to finish the booking process.

    Parents Evening Guide 2018 8, Horsforth School and Sixth Form

    Step 6: Finished

    All your bookings now appear on the My Bookings page. An email confirmation has been sent and you can also print appointments by pressing Print. Click Subscribe to Calendar to add these and any future bookings to your calendar.
    To change your appointments, click on Amend Bookings.