Keeping in touch · Working together
Parent Communication & MCAS
A partnership built on communication
Parents and carers know their children best. Keeping in touch helps us celebrate achievements, understand concerns and work together when support is needed.
This page explains how to contact school, where to find information and how to get help with MCAS, our MyChildAtSchool app.
Something that needs attention today? Telephone the school office on 01942 634681. Please do not assume an email or online message has been read immediately.
Who should I contact?
The school office can help you reach the right person. Please explain briefly what your enquiry concerns; sensitive matters can be discussed privately.
| Your enquiry | Where to start |
|---|---|
| Learning, progress or friendships | Your child’s class teacher. Contact the office if you need help arranging a conversation. |
| Additional needs or SEND | Speak to your child’s class teacher or make an appointment with a SENCO on an ACHIEVE meeting day . |
| Wellbeing or family support | Ask to speak to Mrs P Cox, Senior Pastoral Lead. |
| Attendance or difficulty getting to school | Telephone the office. Mrs Cox leads attendance support and can discuss ongoing difficulties. |
| A safeguarding concern | Telephone and ask for the Designated Safeguarding Lead or a deputy. Explain that your concern relates to safeguarding. |
| MCAS, bookings or everyday arrangements | The school office can help with access, wraparound care, school meals, uniform enquiries and general administration. |
| An unresolved concern or complaint | Follow the school’s published complaints procedure, available on our School Policies page . The office can help you identify the appropriate next step. |
MCAS: MyChildAtSchool
MCAS is our school app. Please make sure you can access your account and check school communications regularly. The information and options available depend on the features enabled by school.
Getting started
- Follow the account invitation or instructions provided by school.
- Use the email address registered with the school.
- Check that the correct child or children appear in your account.
- Contact the office if you cannot activate your account or something appears incorrect.
If you need help finding the correct app or login route, ask the office before entering your details.
Keeping up with messages
Allow notifications for the app if your device supports them, and check that notifications have not been silenced in your phone settings.
Open communications fully and read any attached documents. A notification preview may show only part of a message.
Check MCAS regularly even if no notification has appeared.
Wraparound bookings
Wraparound care bookings and cancellations are managed through MCAS. Follow the current booking, payment and cancellation arrangements on our wraparound care page.
Please check that the dates and sessions selected are correct.
Wraparound care arrangementsProtecting your account
Keep your login details private and use a password that you do not share with others.
Each authorised parent or carer should use the account arrangements agreed with school rather than sharing another person’s login.
Tell the office promptly if your access needs change or you believe your account is being used by someone else.
Having trouble with MCAS?
Contact the school office and explain what happens when you try to sign in. Tell us whether you are using the app or a web browser and include any error message.
Never send your password. If sharing a screenshot, avoid including unnecessary personal information.
Where to find school information
MCAS and direct communications
Read messages sent directly by school for information relevant to your child, their class or the whole school.
Where a message asks you to complete a form, make a booking or respond by a particular date, please follow the instructions provided.
Sacred Heart Headlines
Our newsletter shares school news, celebrations, reminders and information for families.
Read the latest edition and keep an eye on dates or actions relevant to your child.
Read Sacred Heart HeadlinesThe school website
Use the website for reference information such as term dates, session times, uniform, meals, admissions and school policies.
School social media
Our social media celebrates learning and life in the school community.
Please use the school office and established contact routes for personal enquiries, concerns or information about your child.
Follow Sacred Heart on FacebookParent chat groups are informal. If you are unsure about information shared in a group, check the original school communication or contact the office.
Conversations about your child
Planned meetings give us time to discuss learning, progress and wellbeing. Please also contact us between meetings when something needs attention.
Speaking with the class teacher
Your child’s teacher is the first point of contact for questions about classroom learning, progress and everyday school experiences.
A brief practical message may be suitable at the start or end of the day. For a longer or sensitive conversation, please arrange a time when the teacher can give the matter proper attention.
Parents’ evenings and reports
Look out for current information from school about parents’ evenings, reports and opportunities to discuss your child’s progress.
If you cannot attend an offered appointment, contact school to discuss an alternative.
ACHIEVE
ACHIEVE provides opportunities to discuss additional needs, inclusion, wellbeing and Family Help with a SENCO or our Senior Pastoral Lead.
Check the current dates and arrangements. You do not need to wait for a session if you have a concern.
ACHIEVE information and appointmentsSEND support reviews
Parents and carers are partners in reviewing additional support. Our Assess, Plan, Do, Review approach helps us discuss needs, agree outcomes and consider progress.
SEND support and review arrangementsHelp us keep your information up to date
Please tell the school office promptly about changes to:
- Your telephone numbers, email address or home address.
- Emergency contacts and their current details.
- Collection arrangements or people authorised to collect.
- Your child’s medical needs, allergies or medication.
- Family circumstances that school needs to understand.
- Any relevant legal arrangements or restrictions.
If a change affects collection on the same day, telephone the office so the message can be passed to the appropriate staff.
Where supporting documents are needed, the office will explain how to provide them securely.
Helpful and respectful communication
Our motto, Ut Diligatis Invicem — That you love one another, guides how we speak and listen to each other.
When raising a concern, please explain what has happened, how it affects your child and what you would like help with. Include relevant dates and allow school time to understand the situation.
Staff may be teaching or working with children when you contact them. The office can arrange for your enquiry to reach the appropriate person. Please telephone if the matter needs attention during the school day.
Help and common questions
I have not received my MCAS invitation. What should I do?
Check your email inbox and junk folder, then contact the office. We can check the email address held by school and help you with the next step.
I can sign in, but information appears to be missing.
Contact the office and explain what you expected to see. The features available depend on the school’s settings and your account access.
Please do not create repeated accounts to try to resolve the problem.
Can another parent or carer have access?
Ask the school office about appropriate account arrangements. Access is managed using the information held by school and relevant circumstances.
Please do not share your login details as a substitute for arranging access.
How should I report my child’s absence?
Follow the current absence-reporting arrangements on our Attendance page. If you are unsure or need to discuss a difficulty, telephone the school office.
Can I send an urgent message through social media?
Please telephone school for matters needing prompt attention during school hours. Social media comments and messages are not the appropriate route for urgent or personal concerns.
I cannot use the app or need information in another format.
Please tell the office. We can discuss a suitable way for you to receive important information.
Let us know if you need help understanding a communication, an accessible format or support with language.
What if my concern has not been resolved?
Contact school to explain what remains unresolved and refer to any previous discussion. Follow the published complaints procedure for the appropriate next stage.
Worried about a child’s safety?
During school hours, telephone 01942 634681 and ask for the Designated Safeguarding Lead or a deputy.
Do not wait for a message or email response if a child needs urgent help. If someone is in immediate danger, call 999.