Code of Conduct for Parents, Carers and Visitors

At Eastbury Farm Primary School, we are very proud and fortunate to have a very dedicated and supportive school community. Staff, Governors, Parents and Carers all recognise that the education of our children is a partnership between us. Our school should be an orderly, safe place, where relationships between staff and visitors, especially parents and carers is one of mutual respect and recognition of a shared responsibility for the children’s welfare and educational progress.

The purpose of this code of conduct is to outline the expectations for all parents, carers and visitors connected to our school. All members of our school community have a right to expect their school is a safe place in which to work, learn and visit. We set clear expectations and guidelines on behaviour for all members of our school community. This includes:

Children –through our Behaviour Policy
Staff – through our Staff Code of Conduct
Governors – through the Governor Code of Conduct
Parents and carers – through our Parent, Carer and Visitor Code of Conduct

We expect parents, carers and visitors to:

Respect our school ethos, vision and values
Respect our staff and work with staff in the best interests of our children
Treat all members of our school community with respect
Set a good example through their own behaviour both on school premises and when accompanying classes on school visits
Seek a peaceful resolution to all issues
Correct their own child’s behaviour (or those in their care), where it could lead to conflict, aggression or unsafe conduct
Keep our children safe by adhering to school requests such as using the play equipment before school and parking appropriately and safely outside the school gates

This code aims to clarify the types of behaviour that will not be tolerated on the school premises and the actions the school may take should breaches occur.

Behaviour that will not be tolerated*:

Disruptive behaviour, which interferes or threatens to interfere with the normal operation of the school anywhere on the school premises
Any behaviour deemed inappropriate on the school premises
Using loud or offensive language or displaying temper
Threatening in any way, a member of staff, visitor, governor, fellow parent/carer or child by verbally intimidating or using inappropriate language
Damaging or destroying school property;
Sending abusive or threatening emails or text/voicemail/phone messages or other written or verbal communications (including social media) to anyone within the school community;
Defamatory, offensive or derogatory comments regarding the school or any of the pupils/parents/staff/governors at the school on social media or any other form of communication, for example WhatsApp
The use of physical, verbal or written aggression towards another adult or child
Approaching another parent on the school grounds with the aim of being confrontational
Approaching someone else’s child in order to discuss or chastise them because of the actions of this child
Smoking, vaping, taking illegal or legal non-medicinal drugs or the consumption of alcohol on school premises (alcohol may only be consumed during authorised events)

*This list in not exhaustive

It is important for parents and carers to make sure any persons collecting their children are aware of this code of conduct.

What happens if someone ignores or breaks the code?

If the school becomes aware that a parent, carer or visitor has breached the code of conduct as detailed above, the school will gather information from those involved and speak to the person about the incident. Where a breach has been reported to the police, school will seek further advice so as not to compromise any police investigation.

In the event of any parent, carer or visitor to the school breaking this code, proportionate actions will be taken as follows:

If a member of staff feels that a conversation is becoming unreasonable, threatening, intimidating or abusive, they have the right to end the conversation immediately. In this case, it is then likely that a meeting will be set up to discuss the issue further with a member of the Senior Leadership Team present.

In cases where the code of conduct has been broken but the breach was not libellous, slanderous or criminal, the school will send a formal letter.

In cases where the unacceptable behaviour is considered to be a serious and potentially criminal matter, the concerns will in the first instance be referred to the Police. Unacceptable behaviour includes any or all cases of threats of violence and actual violence to any child, staff, governor, parent or carer in the school. It includes loud confrontation through shouting, swearing and behaviour believed to be aggressive. It will also include anything that could be seen as a sign of harassment by any member of the school community, such as any form of insulting social media post or any form of social media cyber bullying. In cases where evidence suggests that behaviour would be tantamount to libel or slander, then the school will refer the matter to the County Council’s Legal Team for further action.

Should any of the above occur on school premises or in connection with school, the school will take action by contacting the appropriate authorities or consider banning the offending adult from entering the school premises. Any visitor will be required to leave the premises and not re-enter without question when required to do so by a Senior Leader.

If unacceptable behaviour is repeated, a parent may be banned from the school site. A ban can be introduced without having to go through all the steps offered above in more serious cases.

Class WhatsApp Groups

We understand that the use of Class WhatsApp groups are a valuable way for parents and carers to share information amongst the group. Information distributed through the groups comes from parents in their personal capacity and may not be factually correct. Class WhatsApp groups operate independently of the school and official school information will always be communicated by School Comms, direct email or updates on our website.

When using class WhatsApp groups, parents and carers should adhere to the following

All messages should be conveyed in a respectful and kind manner.
Disagreements should be handled privately and not discussed in the group nor should they spill over on to the school playground
The group should never be used as a platform to air view or grievances regarding a member of staff, child or parent in the class or school

By establishing clear expectations for WhatsApp group usage, Eastbury Farm Primary School can foster a supportive and collaborative environment that enhances communication between parents and the school community. Joining a class WhatsApp group is a personal choice and is not a requirement of Eastbury Farm School.

Social Media and online activity

We ask that social media, including WhatsApp, whether public or private, should not be used as a medium to air concerns or grievances, fuel campaigns or voice complaints against the school, school staff, governors, parents or children. All concerns, grievances or complaints must be raised through the appropriate channels.

We take very seriously inappropriate use of social media by a parent to publicly humiliate or criticise the school, staff, governors, parents or children.

Online activity, which we consider inappropriate:

Identifying or posting images or videos of other people’s children

Abusive, personal, defamatory or libellous comments about staff, governors, children or other parents
Bringing the school into disrepute
Emails circulated or sent directly with abusive or personal comments about staff, governors, parents or children
Using social media to publicly challenge school policies or discuss issues about individual children, parents, governors or members of staff

We are committed to resolving difficulties in a constructive manner, through an open and positive dialogue. Where issues arise or misconceptions take place, please contact your child’s Class Teacher, who will be happy to meet with you and resolve the situation. Where issues remain unresolved, please speak to the Deputy Headteacher or the Headteacher. If the Headteacher is unable to resolve the matter, then we recommend you follow the school’s complaints procedure, which is available on the school website.

Policy agreed by FGB: Summer 2023

Reviewed December 2024

Review date: Summer 2025

is currently awaiting content