Evaluation from St Anne's Primary School- 6 Jan 2005
The information below is based on the 36 participants who answered the specific questions, a few times some participants did not respond to all the questions. Although overall the response to most of the questions was very high.
100% participants felt information was well presented
The video, “Just Like You” (Donovan’s video) stood out as the part of the presentation which held most attention for the participants, followed by the personal presentation.
All but one of the participants felt they had a better knowledge of the family view of disability as a result of the session, the exception felt she already knew about the topic.
100% of participants would encourage others to participate in the Group’s events.
97% of participants who answered this question desired more training, one participant did not wish to have further training, six people decided not to answer this question.
From these evaluations it is clear that the presentation on “the family view of disability” was well received by the staff at Saint Annes’s Primary School, the first primary school to receive such a presentation from our Group. This experience has confirmed a growing awareness that such presentations can be successfully given to a wider audience.
However “special” thanks are due to all the staff attending, to the SENCO for organising the event and to the principal who facilitated it happening. It is refreshing to realise that while dealing with emotional and very serious issues, does not mean that the atmosphere has to be oppressive and this session will be a constant reminder that there are creative ways of getting points across. To be challenged so honestly and openly by staff who fully appreciate the value of their own work as well as the benefits of inclusiveness is so refreshing, stimulating and rewarding.
Below is a selection of comments from the participants, if I put them all down there would be too many to read and then no one would read any of them.
What You Said – Quotes from the Participants
(St Anne's Primary School)
Short Comments
very informative and well presented, gave me food for thought
very interesting, moving - a real eye opener, emotional and thoughtful
insightful and useful, personal and very appropriate, heartfelt presentation, honest and elucidating, a very worthwhile presentation, so clear, held my attention, I have learned so much, I want to learn more.
Observations
- I found this very thought provoking and very well put together. - It gave me a better insight.
- It has been thought provoking and inspiring. - Helped me be aware and more understanding of the bigger picture.
- I liked the way education was placed in the perspective of the parents. - A touching presentation to reflect upon in dealing with parents in the future.
- Thank you for letting us have the opportunity to see disability from a different perspective. - …never really had such an insight into the family view or what it’s like to be the parent of a disabled child.
- It really did give me something to think about. - It opened my eyes to how parents feel.
- Informative presentation, would be good to deliver around a variety of schools. - …life does not revolve around the school.
- I would have enjoyed a longer session as it was worthwhile and interesting.”
Thank you for all your comments, including the ones quoted above.
Evaluation from Rosemount PS - 28 Oct 2005
Information on feedback from these evaluations are featured in this report. Feedback, evaluations and the monitoring of these are vital to the development of the Family Information Group. However we would suggest that you should also check with participants as to the value of the presentation, perhaps after those attending have some time to digest the views expressed.
If possible, could our Group be supplied with a short summary report, from the school’s perspective, as to the value of the session – whether it was worthwhile or not and why. This would help us when trying to attract further work and we would use it for this purpose. If the staff have valued this type of presentation then we would encourage them to share this with colleagues, inside and outside the teaching profession.
The information below is based on the 20 participants who answered the specific questions, a few times some participants did not respond to all the questions. Although overall the response to most of the questions was very high.
100% participants who answered this question felt information was well presented (19 answered, 1 did not answer this question)
The video, “Just Like You” (Donovan’s video) stood out as the part of the presentation which held most attention for the participants.
All (100%) of the participants felt they had a better knowledge of the family view of disability as a result of the session.
100% of participants would encourage others to participate in the Group’s events.
85% of participants who answered this question desired more training, one participant did not wish to have further training, two people decided not to answer this question.
What You Said – quotes from the participants (Rosemount Primary School)
Short Comments
very informative, very real and intense, very good, touching and emotional, excellent, very positive, very useful, very enjoyable, interesting, moving
Observations
- This presentation is vital for all teachers. - Thank you for an excellent, honest and informative talk.
- Teachers need to be aware of the brothers and sisters. - Focus on ability not disability.
- I was surprised how much I enjoyed Brendan's presentation. - I like to think that parents are professionals as well.
- It is good when a parent informs the school, but in some cases parents do not, so we cannot always be as understanding as we could be if we are made aware of the situation. - Great to feel your contribution is valued.
- Will try and understand more what disability means. - Teachers are unaware of children's lives.
- Always had the impression that parents wanted special treatment for children. - A very relevant course towards parent and child.
- I didn't realise all the issues that had to be dealt with. - I personally will look at it differently.
- More awareness that parents are dealing with these issues 24/7. - It gives another viewpoint rather than the educational slant.
- Very well explained, easily understood. - Brendan made me aware that partnership is very important and that the parent can know more about the child.
Thank you for all your comments, including the ones quoted above.
Conclusion
From these evaluations it is clear that the presentation on “the family view of disability” was well received by the staff at Rosemount Primary School. It is acknowledged that some of this presentation was rushed as it would have proved impossible to cover all the subjects in the hour allocated. In hindsight it would have been better to concentrate on a few themes and explore these in depth. Despite this, the experience has confirmed a growing awareness that such presentations can be successfully given to a wider audience.
However “special” thanks are due to all the staff attending, to the Principal for organising the event and to the caretaker for making sure everything went to plan on the day. Although there was not a lot of time for discussion, to be challenged so honestly and openly by staff who seem to have an understanding of issues relating to disability, was very encouraging. Also the open valuing of classroom assistants and their critical role within the school, I found very noteworthy, when sometimes their role in other establishments is sometimes overlooked.
I enjoyed this session, despite the time restrictions. I will finish off with some of the comments from the participants on the day. The quotations feature are only a selection taken from the evaluations, if I had put them all down there would be too many to read and then no one would read any of them. I would like to thank everyone who took part, as fellow professionals we can create the environment in our schools where all children are treated inclusively. If openness to the impact of disability continues and real partnership working can take place, it will not be too long before schools will create an environment where disabled children will enjoy education supported by teachers, classroom assistants, Board of Governors, other staff and parents alongside the siblings of disabled children and fellow pupils inclusively.
If you felt this session to be worthwhile, then please spread the word, if not then please feedback to the Principal who can then feedback to me. It was a very rewarding experience for me.
Thank You. Brendan, Facilitator, Family Information Group
