Parent Communication
We aim to communicate with parents/carers in a number of ways to help us to work in partnership to support the children’s learning and well-being. As part of our community ethos, we are always looking at ways to strengthen the relationship between home and school further. Parents and carers are always welcome into school in a variety of roles and through special events. They help us to model positive behaviour and demonstrate respect and courtesy to the whole school community.
We try to make our written communications as accessible and inclusive as possible. We use an easy-to-read font and add pictures wherever appropriate. We seek to avoid bias, stereotyping or any form of racial discrimination. We wish to recognise and celebrate the contributions made to our society by all the cultural groups represented in our school.
We have created the following document to outline the communication methods used between home and school so that these are clear to parents/carers and people know what to expect.
Method of Communication |
Purpose |
When |
Meet the Teacher session |
To provide information about the curriculum, classroom routines, homework, expectations for the year etc. Parents will be invited into school for this meeting. | September/October every year. |
Absence Line |
To provide the school with information regarding a child’s absence (details required) to inform the registration code. Parents/carers can also call to speak to the office team regarding sickness/absence. If a child is absent from school, and we have had no indication of the reason, we contact a parent (by telephone, if possible) to find out the reason for the absence. | To call each day of absence by 8:45am. 01245 225450 with the child’s name, class & reason for absence. |
Teacher/Leadership Email |
All teachers can be contacted by using the school office email address. admin@priory.essex.sch.uk The office will then forward this to the relevant teacher and the response will come back via the office. To help teachers manage the demands of their workload, we ask that parents do not communicate directly with teachers via email. |
As needed. Teachers are not allowed to use their personal email address and are not expected to use their school emails. Replies may take up to 2 working days, so this should be reserved for questions or information that is not urgently needed. |
Telephone calls |
To provide important information about incidents that have affected a child at home or in school. Please ensure that you provide us with up-to-date contact details. | As needed. If your child has been involved in an incident that has led to an injury or significant upset, a member of staff will contact you. You can also telephone the school office to speak to, or leave a message for the class teacher 01245 225450 |
Reading Record |
To provide a two-way record of reading to support reading assessments. Parents should record all reading at home. | Used daily as a record of reading. |
Informal meetings |
To enable parents to come in and discuss concerns with teachers. To enable teachers to approach parents to discuss any concerns between parents evenings. Please don’t leave any concerns that you may have to Parents’ evenings. Parents can request an informal after school meeting. | As needed. Please use the admin email address or speak to the class teacher at the end of the day to organise an after school information meeting as required. Teachers are not able to meet before school as they will be preparing the resources for the day but can meet after school when an appointment has been pre-arranged. |
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To keep parents/carers up to date with things happening in school. | As needed. Please note – this is one of the methods used to notify parents in the event of a school closure. |
Website |
To inform parents of what is happening in school. Provides key information and policies – such as safeguarding, admissions, behaviour, charging and remissions, attendance policies etc. It also includes photos of events and activities for each class to show what they are learning on their Class Page. It also celebrates pupils' achievements. Curriculum and current topic information is also available along with school dinner menus. | Ongoing. |
School Dinners |
The school menus are available on the website under the Parent & Carers tab. If you have any queries about meals, then please contact the office team on admin@priory.essex.sch.uk or on 01245 225450 |
New menu twice a year. Website as needed. |
Parent Consultation Evenings |
To inform parents about their child’s progress, attainment and attitude to learning. To enable parents to share their views/concerns and discuss ways of supporting their child at home. | Twice yearly (November & March) |
Open Afternoons |
Another chance for parents to come into school without an appointment to look at their child’s books (3:15 – 4:00pm). This will enable parents to look at their child’s progress in between Parents’ Evenings. (Please note – this is not an opportunity to speak to the class teacher). | Once a term when there is not a formal Parents’ Evening. (See the Priory Press for future dates). |
Newsletter (The Priory Press) |
To inform parents of school activities and notices as well as celebrating children’s achievements. It also includes a calendar of key events. |
This will normally be issued on a bi-weekly basis. Parents and carers expect the newsletter and appreciate the regularity of the contact. |
Child’s Annual Report |
To provide a written update of attainment, progress and attitudes to learning and social development. | Annually in July. |
Curriculum Workshops & Meetings |
To inform parents of how subjects are taught in school and ways that they can support at home for specific year groups. |
A selection of subjects/topics will be offered each year for the children of different ages. Resources & presentations are then uploaded onto the website for all parents to access. |
Home Learning |
Helps to inform the parents what the children have been learning within the classroom. | Home Learning is provided by each year group usually on a weekly basis. |
New Prospective Parents Meetings |
To provide the opportunity for new prospective parents to visit the school with their pre-school children. | From October to November each year. |
Facebook/Instagram |
To inform parents/carers and share photos of any achievements or big school events. | Regular posts (depending on consents given) |
The class teachers and SLT (the Senior Leadership Team) are approachable and accessible to parents/carers. A member of the SLT is at the gate in the mornings to greet families – please come and speak to them if you have any questions, concerns or just for a friendly chat.
Access to the teachers is challenging in the mornings as they are not freely available, due to seeing in their classes. If you would like a longer conversation, please pop into the office and leave a message for the class teacher to call you back at a more convenient time.
Of course, if something needs to be followed up and discussed in more detail, then we encourage you to arrange a meeting so that we can give your concerns or comments the time and attention they deserve.
Priory Primary School values work-life balance and wellbeing. Our staff will not normally respond to emails outside their normal working hours but will endeavour to begin to address it within 48 working hours.
Your email will be passed on to the relevant staff member who will respond via email or phone. We aim to be in touch within two working days, depending on the urgency.