Communication

Working in Partnership with Parents

At Christleton Primary School, we believe that strong communication and positive relationships between home and school are essential.

We want parents and carers to feel informed, involved and able to speak to us whenever there is something we need to know.

What should I do if I need to speak to my child's teacher?

Parents and carers can contact their child's class teacher through Seesaw or by sending a message via the school office (01244 455288 or [email protected]).

Teachers will always aim to respond as soon as reasonably possible, although as you will appreciate during the day our teachers are focussed on the children and delivering lessons so we ask   that up to 48 hours is given for a response. 

At morning drop-off, teachers' priority is welcoming and supervising the children and preparing them for learning. We therefore ask parents to avoid lengthy conversations at this time.                       

If something is urgent, please speak to a member of staff or contact the school office. For matters requiring a longer conversation, the teacher will be happy to arrange a mutually convenient time to speak with you.

Urgent, safeguarding or sensitive matters should always be communicated directly to the school rather than relying on Seesaw.

Ideally this should be straight to either Mr Mitchell or Mrs Hughes.

Working in Partnership with Parents

At Christleton Primary School, we believe that children thrive when school and home work closely together.

Good communication is an important part of that partnership.

We want parents and carers to feel well informed about school life, involved in their child's education and confident about contacting us whenever they need to.

Keeping You Informed

We use a small number of communication channels, each with a clear purpose.

School Spider – whole-school information

School Spider is our main channel for whole-school communication.

We use it to share important messages, letters, reminders, newsletters and information about forthcoming events.

Parents and carers are encouraged to download the school spider app and check it regularly. It is therefore very important that the school has the correct contact details.

Seesaw – your child's class and learning

Seesaw is our main communication platform between individual classes and home.

Teachers use Seesaw to:

• share examples of children's learning and experiences;

• provide class information and reminders; and

• give families a window into what is happening in the classroom.

Parents and carers can also use Seesaw to send relevant, non-urgent messages to their child's class teacher.

Please remember that teachers are teaching throughout the school day and may therefore not see or respond to messages immediately.

Our website

Our school website is the main place to find information that families may need throughout the year, including:

• • school policies;

  • curriculum information;

  • class information;

  • term dates;

  • key school information; and

  • our calendar of events.

Parents are particularly encouraged to visit their child's class page, which provides useful information about the class team and the learning that takes place throughout the year.

Newsletter

Our fortnightly school newsletter celebrates school life and keeps families informed about achievements, events, opportunities and important updates.

Instagram and Facebook

Our Instagram and Facebook account also provide another window into life at Christleton Primary School. We use it to celebrate children's experiences, achievements and opportunities and to share aspects of school life with our wider community.

Important or time-sensitive information will always be communicated through our official school communication channels rather than relying on social media alone.

Speaking to Your Child's Teacher

We want parents and carers to feel comfortable speaking to us whenever there is something we need to know.

You can contact your child's class teacher through Seesaw or by contacting the school office.

Teachers will always aim to respond as soon as reasonably possible. However, because their priority during the school day is teaching and supporting the children, messages may not be seen or answered immediately.

 At the beginning of the school day

At morning drop-off, teachers' priority is to welcome, supervise and settle the children so that learning can begin promptly. We therefore ask parents to avoid lengthy  conversations with teachers at this time.

If there is a quick message that the teacher needs to know that morning, please speak to a member of staff. For anything requiring a longer conversation, the teacher will be happy to arrange a mutually convenient time to speak with you.

Urgent, sensitive or safeguarding concerns

Urgent, sensitive or safeguarding matters should always be communicated directly to the school and should not rely on a Seesaw message being seen.

Please contact the school office or speak directly to a senior member of staff, including Mr Mitchell or Mrs Hughes, so that the matter can be dealt with promptly.

Finding Out About Your Child's Learning

We want parents to understand what their child is learning and how they can support them.

Your child's class page provides information about the class team, curriculum and learning across the year.

Teachers also use Seesaw to share selected examples of classroom learning, activities and experiences.

Throughout the year, parents will also have opportunities to discuss their child's progress, achievements and next steps with their teacher through our usual parent consultation and reporting arrangements.

How Can Parents Support Their Child and the School?

Parents and carers make an enormous contribution to their child's education.

We ask families to support our Home–School Agreement and work with us to maintain the high expectations that help children to be happy, successful and ready to learn.

This includes supporting:

• regular attendance and good punctuality;
• our expectations for behaviour;
• appropriate school uniform;
• prompt collection if a child becomes unwell;
• regular reading and learning at home;
• the development of key skills such as number facts and multiplication tables; and
• school policies and expectations that help us maintain a safe, positive and successful learning environment.

Most importantly, we encourage parents to take an active interest in their child's learning, talk to them about their experiences and celebrate their achievements.

How Can My Child Have Their Say?

We believe children should have meaningful opportunities to share their views, contribute ideas and help shape their school.

We gather pupil voice in a range of ways, including:

• • School Council;

  • class discussions and Class Council meetings;

  • pupil questionnaires and surveys;

  • pupil voice discussions and interviews;

  • conversations with subject leaders and senior leaders; and

  • opportunities to contribute to decisions about school life.

We want every child at Christleton Primary School to know that their voice matters and that they can make a positive contribution to their school and community.

Helping in School

We are extremely grateful to parents, carers and members of our community who give their time to support Christleton Primary School.

Parent volunteers can make a valuable contribution to school life, whether supporting activities, hearing children read, helping with events or sharing particular skills and expertise.

If you are interested in volunteering, please contact the school office.

All volunteering arrangements are agreed by the school and are subject to the appropriate safeguarding checks and induction arrangements for the role involved.