Home-School Partnership
At the heart of our school community lies a shared commitment with parents and carers to our children's learning and wellbeing. In our home-school partnership, we have the responsibility to work cooperatively to achieve our shared goals for our students. This works best when understanding, respect and a collaborative spirit is placed at the centre of our relationship.
Staff Wellbeing Matters
The wellbeing of our staff is fundamental to the quality of education and care we provide to our students. Whether it is in their daily duties or offering the range of extracurricular opportunities, including our clubs, trips and shows, they go beyond what is normally expected and often before their own and family commitments. Without this dedication The Swanage School would not be the special place it is.
Communication Pathway
Teachers and other staff can be contacted via email as a primary means of contact or by arranging a phone call through the School Office. For more in-depth discussions a meeting can be arranged at a mutually convenient time.
Patience and Understanding in Response Times
Our staff dedicate and fill their days with planning, teaching, and supporting students they care for - they are exceptionally busy people. Responses to parent and carer communications will be provided as soon as reasonably practical - patience and understanding in this is appreciated.
We aim to respond to communication within four working days; however, this is not a hard deadline and may well be extended dependant on the nature of your request and the prioritised workload of those who would be responding.
Before reaching out, parents and carers should check whether other school communications may answer any queries; this includes referring to our school website.
Respectful Communication
We typically enjoy very positive relationships with parents and carers; whether written or verbal, it is imperative, and we expect, that all communication with staff remains respectful, considerate, and constructive. We do not tolerate any communication that is aggressive, abusive, threatening or otherwise causes fear or distress. Whether in person, over the phone or by email, this includes excessive, unreasonable and repeated demands.
The school reserves the right to politely close a conversation and respond with written communication, should the interaction be deemed not to meet the ethos and guidance contained within this statement. Should communication continue in an inappropriate and unacceptable manner, we reserve the right to implement a restrictive communication plan.
Prior to any contact with school, parents and carers should reflect on the content of their communication. For example, when composing emails, take time to consider the language and tone of their communication before pressing send, especially if it has been written late at night and/or using AI.
As parents and carers, you have the right to be heard, understood and respected. The school works hard to be open and accessible to everyone, but this must be balanced with treating our staff fairly and with respect.
Working together in partnership, we can continue to create a nurturing and respectful school community where everyone thrives.