Communications

Arbor

At Bluecoat Beechdale Academy we use Arbor  to help you stay connected with your child’s school life. Through Arbor you can:

• Sign your child up for clubs and trips
• Book parent’s evening appointments
• Manage payments for school activities
• Top-up your child’s lunch account
• Update your child’s details including their medical information
• Monitor your child’s attendance, behaviour, and academic progress

This video will give you an overview of the Abor parent app:

The Arbor parent app is available to download on both Apple and Android phones, please visit your App/Play Store to do this.

If it is your first time logging into Arbor, you’ll need to set your password. We will send you a welcome email with a link to do this.

Archway Learning Trust: Communication Protocol

Introduction

With the introduction of Arbor, we are taking the opportunity, to review our communication to parent and carers. This protocol outlines the best channels for making sure our communications are timely, effective, and secure whilst reducing the usage of costly text messaging.

This protocol will be reviewed regularly to ensure that it’s effective and adapts to new technology.

Communication Channels

We are implementing a prioritised, tiered communication strategy that uses the most appropriate channel based on the urgency, sensitivity, and intended recipient of each message.

To ensure you receive important updates, we kindly ask all parents and carers to register for the Arbor in-app messaging service. Until registration is complete, any messages sent via the app will be accompanied by an email notification, which will include instructions on how to register.

Non-Critical Communications (Low Risk):

Free In-App Messing within MIS. Use of the in-app messaging functionality provided by our MIS is encouraged for non-urgent communication and collaboration between students and parents.

 Examples include and not limited to:

• Cake Sale
• Behaviour management
• Important Information (Time-Sensitive but Manageable):
• School Website & Social Media
• Letters / Newsletters
• Email within MIS:
• Detentions

Free In-App Messaging within MIS.

Use of the in-app messaging function provided by our MIS is encouraged for important communication and collaboration between staff and parents.

 Examples include and not limited to:

• Positive / Celebratory Communications
• Upcoming Events (Inset Day, Sports Day)
• Reports
• Forms
• Surveys
• Critical Communications (Urgent & High Risk):
• School Website & Social Media
• Letters / Newsletters
• SMS Messaging within MIS: Urgent or time-sensitive messages with high potential consequences for students or parents/carers. Examples include and not limited to:
• Emergency school closure
• Critical staff absences impacting student safety
• Student Absence

Additional Considerations

• Accessibility: There is no legal guidance for how correspondence should be sent, only that we need to send written correspondence. Academies should consider alternative communication methods for those who may not have access to digital platforms. Formal correspondence received from applicants must be returned in the same form, by post or email.
• After School Detentions: Notice to parents / carers for an after-school detention will have the aim of being sent an hour before the end of the school day and will fall outside of this scope, being sent via email.

Benefits of this Protocol

By following this protocol, Academies can ensure effective, secure, and cost-conscious communication.

• Efficiency: Timely communication through the most appropriate channel.
• Cost-Effectiveness: Reduced reliance on SMS charges.
• Security: Sensitive information transmitted through secure platforms.
• Accessibility: Information readily available on school websites, apps, and through the MIS.
• Transparency: Consistent, aligned, and clear communication.