At Redriff Primary School, we place an emphasis on involving parents and carers in their child’s education because we know that by working together, we ensure the best possible outcomes for our children. To achieve this, it is vital to have an effective way of information sharing between the school and parents.
Find all the ways parents and school can communicate with each other, below.
Parent App
We use Parent App as our main way to share information. For example:
- the school calendar
- all letters including educational visit letters and responses
- school menu
- special events
We may also use push notifications when we need to quickly convey information to parents, such as if a club is cancelled, and for reminders of celebrations and other information.
Emails
Parents can refer to the Communications Channels Protocols to identify who to send their email to dependent on the nature of the enquiry. All general enquires and to arrange a meeting with a staff member, please email the Redriff office: office@redriff.co.uk. Your email will be passed on to the relevant staff member who will respond by email or phone. We aim to be in touch within five working days, depending on the urgency, but in rare circumstances, messages do get overlooked or lost so please chase if you don’t hear back from us.
Phone Calls
We phone parents if their child has been involved in an accident, such as bumping their head, or for other medical needs. Phone calls may also be made to parents if we need to report a serious behaviour concern or incident, or to follow up an email or face-to-face query. We will always try to leave a message if parents are unable to answer so that they do not feel worried about a missed call. We may also text parents if we are unable to contact you by a phone call, for example he attendance team if they are calling about an absence.
Face-to-face
The class teachers and SLT (the Senior Leadership Team) are approachable and accessible to parents. A member of the SLT is in the playground every morning to greet families – parents are encouraged to come and speak to them if they have any questions, concerns or just for a friendly chat.
Doors to classrooms are also open from 8.55am so parents can feel free to have a quick word with their child’s teacher or pass on any messages for the day ahead. Teachers need to know if someone different will be collecting them but it’s also good to know if something has happened overnight or during the weekend that may affect the child’s learning. If parents would like a more confidential word we would encourage them to call the office before 8.30am to speak to the class teacher or send an email
with FAO the class teacher.
Of course, if something needs to be followed up and discussed in more detail then we encourage parents to arrange a meeting so that we can give their concerns or comments the time and attention they deserve. This is also the best way for parents who use the breakfast and after school clubs to communicate with their child’s teacher.
Meet the Teacher
We appreciate that parents want to know about their child’s teacher and be familiar with their classroom so at the start of each school year we invite parents in to school to do this. It’s an opportunity to hear an overview of the exciting learning that’s planned for the year ahead and to share vital information around the curriculum, homework, PE, Forest School sessions and educational visits.
Tapestry
We use the Tapestry platform in the EYFS throughout the school year. This allows parents to be kept up-to-date with what their child is doing through photos and comments which are regularly uploaded by the class teacher This platform also enables parents to upload photographs and activities that their child has enjoyed at home so that we can share in the child’s explorations, learnings and progress.
Newsletters
We pride ourselves on keeping in touch with our whole school community regularly through our newsletters. These newsletters are an opportunity to share and celebrate achievements and successes across the school. They are a chance to highlight some of the learning that children throughout the school have been involved in, from celebrating a festival to going on a residential trip. It’s lovely to be able to share photographs of what our children and their peers are doing.
Website
Our school website is a really important way that we share our provision with our parents and community. For example:
- what our children learn and the school curriculum
- staff team
- governance
- policies and complaints procedure
- national statutory assessment results
It is a great first port of call for any queries, especially if parents have not been able to talk to a member of staff in person.
Social Media
We post regular Twitter updates: @Redriff_Primary
Here we informally share the events and learning happening at school, from sporting achievements to our Makaton sign of the week. We also use Twitter to update parents on school trips and post pictures of the children’s’ adventures to ensure parents feel included in their in their child’s experiences.
Parent Meetings
We hold these formal meetings three times a year. It’s a chance for parents to have 10 minutes with their child’s teacher to discuss their progress and achievements. We talk about targets that have been set specifically for the child and the support that can be given at home to enable the child to achieve their potential. We understand that sometimes a 10 minute meeting is not enough and will arrange a follow up meeting in those instances.
Written Reports
During the summer term, parents will receive a full written report with a commentary on their child’s progress in each curriculum area and overall attendance. Parents are able to discuss these at the summer term Parent Meeting.
Learning Showcases
During the year every year group will have the opportunity to show case their learning. This may be through an assembly, a production, an art exhibition or an arts evening. Parents are strongly encouraged to attend these events as they’re such an important way to share and celebrate our children’s learning. We try our best to time these in a way that works for all parents.
Parent Workshops
We run parent workshop sessions throughout the year to support parents in understanding the curriculum and how to help their child at home. In addition, we also deliver wider training sessions for parents to develop additional skills, for example supporting children’s wellbeing and online safety.
Parent Survey
Parents are invited twice a year to complete a parent survey. We use this information to inform our school development plan and next steps. We share the outcomes and resultant strategy with our parents.
Home Visits
Children starting in our EYFS may receive a home visit from members of staff. This is an opportunity for the parents and staff to meet and start a relationship. It’s also an opportunity for staff to learn more about the child, their development so far and their family. There may other times when it is appropriate for a members of staff to visit the home, for example for a welfare check.