Communication with School

At The Drive Community Primary School, we value the positive relationships we build with our families and recognise that effective communication is essential in helping every child feel safe, supported and successful. We believe that working together in partnership with parents and carers enables our children to thrive both academically and socially.

We highly value the ongoing positive communication we have with parents and carers. This two-way partnership is vital in supporting the wellbeing, development and education of our pupils. We ask all parents and carers to follow the communication pathways outlined below to ensure enquiries and concerns can be directed to the most appropriate member of staff and addressed as effectively as possible.

To safeguard learning time and maintain a safe, supportive and positive environment for all members of our school community, we ask families to follow the procedures below.

School Gate

Members of staff are available on the school gate each morning and at the end of the school day. They may be able to answer a quick question; however, their first priority is ensuring the safe arrival and collection of pupils. If a matter requires a longer discussion, parents and carers may be asked to arrange a meeting at a more suitable time.

Join The Drive Community Primary on Class Dojo

 

We use Class Dojo as our main platform for communication with parents and carers and encourage all families to sign up.

Families receive messages for the whole school, while each class has its own page where teachers share learning updates, reminders, notices and celebrations. We also share photographs from the classroom so parents and carers can see and celebrate their child's learning experiences.

Class Dojo helps us maintain strong relationships between home and school, ensuring families remain involved in their child's educational journey.

If you have not already signed up to Class Dojo, please speak to your child's class teacher, who will provide you with an invitation code.

Class Dojo is free and can be downloaded from the Google Play Store, Apple App Store or by visiting Class Dojo.

Communication and Reporting Information

To help us ensure information is received promptly and acted upon appropriately, we ask parents and carers to use the following methods of communication:

• Reporting Absence: If your child is absent from school, please contact the school office by telephone, leave a voicemail message if necessary, or send an in-app message through Arbor, providing the reason for the absence.
• Arbor Parent App: Arbor is used for a range of important school communications. Letters, newsletters, notices and updates are sent to parents and carers through Arbor, and we encourage families to ensure notifications are enabled.
• School Meals: School meal bookings and payments are managed through Arbor. Parents and carers should use Arbor to order meals and keep their child's meal account up to date.
• Educational Visits and Trips: Information about school visits and educational trips will be shared through Arbor. Where consent is required, parents and carers can provide permission electronically through the app.
• General Enquiries: For general enquiries, parents and carers should contact the school office, who will direct the enquiry to the most appropriate member of staff.

These systems help us communicate effectively with families, ensure important information is received promptly and support the smooth running of the school for all members of our community.

Email Communication

All email communication, whether from parents to staff or vice versa, should be sent via the school office email address: thedriveprimary@gateshead.gov.uk.

Using a central email address ensures that information is shared appropriately and that communication is directed to the relevant member of staff. Office hours are 8.00am to 4.00pm, Monday to Friday during term time. Emails will be acknowledged by office staff and forwarded to the appropriate member of staff where necessary.

Whilst an immediate response may not always be possible, parents and carers can be assured that queries and concerns will be considered and responded to within a reasonable timeframe.

Telephone Communication

Telephone conversations between staff and parents should normally take place outside of teaching time to minimise disruption to children's learning.

Where a discussion requires additional time, a meeting may be arranged at a mutually convenient time through the school office by calling 0191 421 0390.

Working Together

We would like to thank all members of our school community for their continued support. By working together with kindness, respect and understanding, we can maintain positive relationships and ensure every child receives the very best support, care and education at The Drive Community Primary School.