Information for Parents & Carers
This page is about how we can work together to support your child’s journey.
There are many ways you can support your child:
Try to get your child to make a regular commitment to their activity and their practice;
Encourage and reinforce their success by offering positive feedback, acknowledging their improvement and complimenting their growing ability;
Ensure they have the right equipment / their musical instrument is in working order;
Encourage them to join groups when they are able, so that they can have the enjoyment of music and arts as a social activity;
Show an active interest in their studies and keep in contact with their teacher.
Keeping in Contact
We use the Seesaw Home Learning app as a communication platform for all young musicians and artists taking part in our programmes. The features of Seesaw are:
It allows CMA to communicate directly with young people outside session times while meeting Croydon Council GDPR compliance and Safeguarding policies
Communications can use a combination of artistic forms
Young artists can upload their work, receive feedback from CMA staff and our cultural partners, and create a digital portfolio to evidence their development
Parents and carers will be able to view all communications and their children’s portfolios
CMA staff will use Seesaw to guide young artists on their journey of discovery and development. Before you agree to your child joining one of our Seesaw classes we would like to provide some reassurances. As a service within Croydon Council we follow safeguarding and privacy protocols to keep children safe. We work closely with schools and we may need to check details about your child. For example there is normally a fee for achieving the Star Award beyond Star 1 but it is free for children who are Looked After or Pupil Premium. Please see the privacy notice for our use of personal data.
Seesaw Permissions
When your child uses the Seesaw app you will receive notifications for all communications between CMA and your child. All communications will be visible to more than one CMA member of staff. We hope you will wish to see the work they have uploaded and our comments.
The consent you give will be for your child’s work to be visible to our staff only. We shall ask further consent from you and from the young artist before we share their art with others.
Find out how our work supports your child’s progress through school
Learn more
Find out how our work supports their mental health and well-being
Learn more
Image credits: Katherine Leedale