Communication

At Burghfield St Mary’s School, we recognise the importance of building successful working relationships with our families. A vital part of this is maintaining clear communication between school and home in a variety of ways.

Parents/carers and staff are encouraged to talk openly and honestly in an “open-door” environment throughout the year.

Meet the Teacher evenings happen early in September
Parent-teacher consultations happen in November and March
After-school “open classrooms” are planned each term
Meetings can be arranged for conversations at any time during the year
Senior leaders are available on the playground in the mornings.

We have lots of information on our website – please check this for general information and curriculum information about what your child is learning in school. We also have many policies which outline some of our rules and processes.

We encourage parents/carers to help with reading, art, sport, cooking and other extra-curricular activities. Many of these activities we could not do without the extra support. Parent volunteers who help in school are asked to complete the online DBS (Disclosure Barring Service) process. For more information, please contact the school office.

Opportunities to volunteer include:

One to one reading with parent/carer volunteers – each class will have their own times for this
Transporting children to extra-curricular activities such as tag-rugby tournaments
Accompanying school visits
Working with small groups of children
Working alongside individual children
Undertaking art and craft activities with children
Working with children on i-Pads/laptops
Helping with outdoor learning
Parents/carers are invited to various focus groups for specific feedback (e.g. new website development)
We value parents’ feedback on many other topics.

Who to contact?

Please see the table See Below for more information on who to approach with a query and how to get in touch with them

Your Query	Who you need to talk to	How to get in touch
Anything to do with your individual child i.e. their progress, behaviour or something that has happened in school or on the playground. Any concerns regarding child welfare or family circumstances	Your child’s Class Teacher is always the first port of call for any of these queries; they may then involve the Deputy Head or Headteacher if necessary	Teachers are at their classroom doors before and after school if you need a quick word with them. For a more in-depth discussion, send an email to arrange an appointment
Messages about medical appointments and childcare arrangements including changes in pick up. (Separate email will be sent at the beginning of year explaining pick up arrangements)	Your child’s Class Teacher and the School Office	Please write a short note and hand to the teacher or phone or e-mail the office; 0118 983 6387 office@burghfield.w-berks.sch.uk
Anything to do with your child’s additional learning needs such as Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND), and English as an Additional Language (EAL) or any other concerns you may have	SENCo Mrs Carmichael	Make an appointment via the school office
Any queries with administration, for example Trips, Music, School Meals payments, parent volunteers etc. Any financial queries such as difficulty with payments, free school meals etc.	School Office: Mrs Roth	Come into the office, e-mail office@burghfield.w-berks.sch.uk or call 0118 983 6387
Any queries with School dinners options, Absence etc. Any general queries	School Office: Mrs Thomas	office@burghfield.w-berks.sch.uk or call 0118 983 6387
Anything to do with the whole school or to give feedback or make suggestions to the school If you have questions about attendance or request a leave of absence	Headteacher: Mrs Carmichael Deputy Headteacher:	Please call the school office or e-mail to arrange a meeting with the Headteacher or Deputy Headteacher To contact the Chair of Governors please e-mail
Any queries about fundraising events and to volunteer to help.	Chair of the PTA:	e-mail bsmpta@burghfield.w-berks.sch.uk