Parent WhatsApp Groups

Class / Parent WhatsApp Groups

To aid communication between parents and carers many of our classes or groups of parents have set up WhatsApp groups, which OPERATE INDEPENDENTLY of the school. We know these offer a great way to support and communicate with each other.

We understand that parents and carers find WhatsApp groups a really useful way of communicating with and supporting each other.

The messages in the WhatsApp groups come from parents in their personal capacity. The school does NOT post directly on any WhatsApp parent/carer groups.

At Barham Primary School, we believe it is important to:

Work in close partnership with parents to support their child’s learning and development

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

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.

Code of Conduct

Parents should adhere to the following guidelines when using class WhatsApp groups:

The group should never be used as a platform to air views/grievances regarding a teacher, child or parent in the class or school
The group is not a political platform for airing opinions on current affairs
The group should be used keeping in mind mutual respect and cultural sensitivity between all its members

We expect parents, carers and other visitors to:

Respect the ethos, vision and values of our school
Work together with staff in the best interests of our pupils
Treat all members of the school community with respect – setting good examples with behaviour and speech
Seek peaceful solutions to all issues
Approach the right member of school staff to help resolve any issues of concern

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 schools community

Displays of anger including swearing, or using offensive language

Bringing the school into disrepute

Posting aggressive, defamatory or libellous comments

Emails circulated or sent directly with abusive or personal comments about staff, pupils or any members of the schools community

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

Threatening behaviour, such as verbal intimidation, 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 us by emailing the school at office@barham.kent.sch.uk

If the school suspects, or becomes aware, that a parent has breached the code of conduct detailed above, the school will gather information from those involved and speak to the parent about the incident.

Depending on the nature of the incident, the school may then:

Send a warning letter to the parent

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

Contact the appropriate authorities (in cases of criminal behaviour)

Seek advice from the local authority’s legal team regarding further action (in cases of conduct that may be libellous or slanderous)

Ban the parent from the school site

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