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Communication Guidelines

Guidelines for Parental Communication with School from September 2022

When should I contact school?

As soon as you have a concern! If in doubt, please contact us; we would far rather you contacted us for reassurance over something that turns out to be minor than spend time worrying about something.

I know class teachers are very busy. Is it ok to contact them?

Yes, it is absolutely fine to contact a class teacher if you need to. We only ask that you respect the fact that most teachers teach around 200 students and cannot, therefore, realistically enter into a detailed dialogue over a prolonged period of time with individual parents. The vast majority of instances where parents need to contact teachers can be dealt with via a quick email exchange, so feel free to do this in the first instance. Please also note that, we do not expect teachers to reply to messages outside working hours.

Can't I just contact the Headteacher if I've got a problem?

Yes, you are always welcome to contact the Headteacher if you feel you need to (by emailing the Headteacher's PA, via Head@phs.cheshire.sch.uk or calling (01625 871811). At the same time, parents will appreciate that in many circumstances it may be more appropriate for another member of staff who has a more detailed knowledge of the issue to respond in the first instance.

How quickly can I expect a response to my queries?

Ordinarily, you can expect a response dependent on the enquiry within 2 working days.

How do I know who is the best person to contact?

The table below is intended to help parents with information about who to contact in certain, common scenarios. If you are unsure about who to contact, we recommend you call the main school reception on 01625 871811, where our staff will be able to point you in the right direction.

Is there anything else I should bear in mind?

The only other thing we would say is that we understand that sometimes parents or carers may be frustrated about issues that arise, and we will always do our best to solve these. Equally, we would much prefer parents or carers to contact us directly with concerns rather than raise them on social media before we have had the chance to respond.

 At the same time, please understand our staff are trying to resolve your concern and therefore any communication that is sent should not be rude, abusive or aggressive. We do not expect staff to respond to inappropriate communication.

Reference Table

Issue Who to contact How

Any safeguarding concern

Miss C Holyland is the Safeguarding Lead or Mr A Bennett, Mrs Dempsey and Mr Henderson are the Deputy Safeguarding Leads

Via reception 01625 871811

safeguarding@phs.cheshire.sch.uk

Welfare concerns

e.g. Friendship issues, cyber bullying

The first point of contact would be the Welfare Lead for your child’s year group.

Year 7 Mr A Hunter AHunter@phs.cheshire.sch.uk 

Year 8&9 Mrs Riley-

ARiley@phs.cheshire.sch.uk

Year 10&11 Miss Hollingworth-

LHO@phs.cheshire.sch.uk

or via

studentsupport@phs.cheshire.sch.uk

Concerns about your child's progress in a particular subject

Class teacher initially, but please contact the Director of Learning for the subject team if this does not resolve the issue.

E-mail info@phs.cheshire.sch.uk and in the title please write the name of the teacher concerned.

Concerns about your child's general progress

Director of Learning for your child’s year group

Year 7 Mrs A Kennedy

ake@phs.cheshire.sch.uk

Year 8&9 Miss J Hancock

JHancock@phs.cheshire.sch.uk

 

Year 10&11 Miss H Dovey

HDovey@phs.cheshire.sch.uk 

For Sixth Form queries contact the Sixth Form.

Information on how to support your child’s learning e.g. revision guides

Director of Learning for your child’s year group

Year 7 Mrs A Kennedy

ake@phs.cheshire.sch.uk 

Year 8&9 Miss J Hancock

JHancock@phs.cheshire.sch.uk

 

Year 10&11 Miss H Dovey

HDovey@phs.cheshire.sch.uk 

Queries about home learning

Class teacher initially, but please contact the Director of Learning for the subject if this does not resolve the issue.

E-mail info@phs.cheshire.sch.uk and in the title please write the name of the teacher concerned.

Questions about uniform

Welfare Lead

studentsupport@phs.cheshire.sch.uk

01625871811

Questions about school transport

Director of Business and Operations

info@phs.cheshire.sch.uk

01625 871811

Reporting absence or other queries relating to attendance.

Attendance Officer

Miss Sharples

absence@phs.cheshire.sch.uk

01625 871811 and follow the instructions on the recorded message

Information about medical care and support

Welfare Leader

Year 7 Mr A Hunter AHunter@phs.cheshire.sch.uk 

Year 8&9 Mrs Riley-

ARiley@phs.cheshire.sch.uk

Year 10&11Miss L Hollingworth-

LHollingworth@phs.cheshire.sch.uk

or via

studentsupport@phs.cheshire.sch.uk

Information regarding behaviour

Welfare Lead for Behaviour

Miss Booth

HBooth@phs.cheshire.sch.uk

Information regarding SEND Learning Support Department

SEN@phs.cheshire.sch.uk

Concern about a member of staff

Deputy Head teacher

Miss C Holyland

CHolyland@phs.cheshire.sch.uk

Via reception 01625 871811

Questions relating to assessment

Assistant Head teacher

Miss W Ryder

WRyder@phs.cheshire.sch.uk

Via reception on 01625 871711

Questions relating to the school curriculum

Assistant Head teacher

Mrs D Howells

DHowells@phs.cheshire.sch.uk

Via reception 01625 871811

Questions relating to the Sixth Form

Assistant Head teacher

Mr A Bennett

ABennett@phs.cheshire.sch.uk

01625 871811
Questions relating to pupil premium and FSM

Assistant Head Teacher

Mrs E Greenfield

EGreenfield@phs.cheshire.sch.uk

Via reception 01625 871811

Poynton High School & Performing Arts College

Yew Tree Lane, Poynton, Cheshire SK12 1PU

01625 871 811