ONE Builds Connection in a Rural School in Northern France

In Orchies, France, the Joliot-Curie Elementary School has made digital technology a true driver of connection and cohesion. Since the implementation of the ONE digital workspace, principal Valéry Gourdin has seen every day how the platform fosters communication: “This tool facilitates co-education and helps create a calm, positive climate within my school.”

Leading a school of 225 students from six surrounding villages, Valéry Gourdin took charge of an institution where ONE had not yet been deployed. Together with her team, she undertook the full rollout of the digital workspace. The goal: to build strong connections between the school, families, and the broader education community—despite geographical distance.

Training Teachers… and Families

The challenge was considerable: how to engage families sometimes unfamiliar with digital tools? “It wasn’t enough to hand out an access code and say, ‘figure it out,’” explains the principal. The team took the time to support parents, particularly during back-to-school meetings, showing them how to use the ENT HDF platform, the regional version of ONE.

This digital proximity proved essential in times of crisis. “The school had to be evacuated three times due to flooding. Thanks to the educational platform, communication with families was effective, fast, and clear.”

Showing the School in a New Light

This openness is crucial: “ONE helps families better understand what school—with a capital S— really is, and shows that we can take on meaningful projects, such as anti-bullying initiatives.” The digital workspace not only strengthens communication with families but also fosters collaboration among teachers and between schools. “We’re in contact with other schools in the district where projects are being developed. That has been really important.”

A Digital Space Serving Co-Education

In daily practice, the digital workspace supports learning and nourishes co-education. “It’s not just about sharing festive moments; we also share educational activities, science projects, and classroom reading workshops.”

Teachers create songbooks or digital notebooks for younger students, enabling families to follow their children’s learning and enrich conversations at home. It’s a simple yet effective way to encourage oral language development and parental involvement.

Inclusion and Well-Being

ONE also proves valuable for welcoming students with special needs or families who speak little French. Beyond academics, the principal pays close attention to her students’ mental health and well-being. “Last year, I had two children who completely shut down when interacting face-to-face. Being able to say, ‘You can contact me, and I’ll be there for you,’ is important—it facilitates communication, even if it happens through digital means.”