Unit 8:

Use and Develop Systems that Promote Communication

Be able to address the range of communication requirements in own role:

It is imperative whilst working with children to be able to address the range of communication requirements within a school. Without communication methods and strategies confusion, miscommunication and assumptions can arise unnecessarily. Building a successful classroom environment requires effective communication strategies. It is proven that schools that have developed effective communication strategies are often very efficient when it comes to teaching students.
I liase through many different communication methods with a range of people and departments within my current job role. I liase with Senior Management, The Board of Governors, the PTA, other faculty members, for example teachers and classroom assistants, parents, family members, Social Services and the students that are in my care as well as their siblings.

Through experience, support and guidance I have learnt varied methods of communicating. Mostly I communicate with people verbally. I spend most of my working life communicating through talking. I will guide others to expand their learning by using a verbal communication. In the Early Learning department I encourage the children to develop their speech and language usually through song or repetition. I often incorporate non-verbal methods such as sign language and body language to help them remember rather than giving them the answer.
I believe that students also need to learn about effective communication strategies primarily in school so that they can find ways to work together with their teachers and peers to find academic success. The successful methods of communicating that is learnt in school can be carried out in communicating with others out side of school as well.
Within the classroom I encourage pictorial and written work, there is a white board that students can write on in class to express their feelings and concerns should they want.
I speak informally on a daily basis to parents; I let them know how their child is doing in school if they ask, to reassure them if they have any concerns. If need be I will show children’s work and if the matter cannot be resolved I will arrange a formal meeting with Senior Management or myself if required.
As a school we communicate to parents with a variety of methods. Each half term we send a detailed newsletter to update parents on any events that the school has participated in and any successions as well as a list of any upcoming events, important term dates for example, HMS days.
We use a MOODLE account where we update parents with upcoming events and also provide a way for parents and students to contact their teachers as well as keep up-to-date with any homework set. Each member of staff has their own email address that parents can correspond with them.
We also operate a text message system directly to parents. We can communicate directly with parents informing them of important information. Last year, during the winter, the heating wasn’t working at the school. Before the school opened the issue arose and all parents were sent a message that the school would be closed to save them the trouble of having to go to the school to be sent away again.
The School also has it’s own Twitter account that they promote key events at the school. This is also a very modern way for people to communicate.

The School that I work has a school policy in position to ensure that confidentiality is maintained at all times. All staff is trained in the confidentiality guidebook. Each student has their own Moodle account, their own Homework logs and text messages can be sent to individuals as well as groups to ensure personalisation. Each employee is trained with all methods of communication within the school. This way every member of staff can communicate with parents and students.

Often barriers and challenges of all sorts