We understand Parents find Class WhatsApp groups a useful and efficient way of communicating to the whole class. We are a busy community of parents, staff and children and it is always helpful to work together to ensure that all children have a positive experience at school.

At Trinity Oaks, parents are invited to be a part of their class group by their class rep. This is a great space for parents to support each other and the children in class.

The ways in which the class Whatsapps are used range greatly and include:

• Reminders for events

• Lost and found items

• Event invitations

• Useful information from the school to parents

The messages in the class WhatsApp groups come from parents in their personal capacity or are messages forwarded on behalf of the FOTO.The school does NOT post directly on any WhatsApp parent/carer groups.

At Trinity Oaks, we believe it’s important to:

• Work in partnership with parents to support their child’s learning

• Create a safe, respectful and inclusive environment for pupils, staff and parents

• Model appropriate behaviour for our pupils at all times

To help us do this, we set clear expectations and guidelines on behaviour for all members of our community. This includes staff (through the staff code of conduct) and pupils (through our behaviour policy).

This code of conduct aims to help the school work together with parents by setting guidelines on appropriate behaviour.

Code of Conduct

Parents should adhere to the following guidelines when using class WhatsApp group that has been set up by FOTO via the class reps:

• The group should never be used as a platform to air views/grievances regarding school management, a member of staff, child or parent in the class or school

• The group is not a political platform for airing opinions on current affairs

• The group should not be used for private conversations

• The personal information held on this group should not be used to raise a grievance with an individual parent

• The group should be used keeping in mind mutual respect and cultural sensitivity between all its members

• If parents have a concern regarding their child they are encouraged to make direct contact with their class teacher or the Heateacher using the correct procedures (studybugs or email to office@)

Please note, the school considers the following online activity inappropriate:

• Abusive or personal comments about staff, pupils or other parents or any member of the school’s community

• Displays of anger including swearing, or using offensive language

• Bringing the school into disrepute

• Posting aggressive, defamatory or libellous comments

• Using social media to publicly challenge school policies or discuss issues about individual children

• Threatening behaviour, such as verbally intimidating staff, or using bad language

The school takes safeguarding responsibilities seriously and will deal with any reported incidents appropriately.

Raising Concerns

If you are concerned about inappropriate comments on a class WhatsApp group, in confidence, please contact the Headteacher by emailing office@trinityoaks.surrey.sch.uk

If the school becomes aware of any concerns regarding the use of the class Whatsapp the school may then:

• Invite the parent into school to meet with a senior member of staff or the Headteacher

• Remove the parent from the Whatsapp group

• Send a letter to the parent

The school will always respond to an incident in a proportional way.

As with all matters - parents are encouraged to request a meeting with the Headteacher to resolve any concerns or queries.

The final decision for how to respond to breaches of the code of conduct rests with the Headteacher.