in partnership with

How to build effective

home-school partnerships.
When parents are involved in their children’s
education, children do better on a
range of measures1:
• Their behaviour is better2
• They have greater self-esteem3
• Their attendance is higher4
• The risk of exclusion is lower5
• They are more keen to learn6
• They achieve better results7
• The attainment gap between children and
young people from different socio-economic
backgrounds is reduced8.

Ofsted evaluates schools on parent engagement under

“ In the best cases seen, joint working

between the home and the school led
leadership and management and has found the most
effective schools work in partnership with parents.
to much better outcomes for pupils; in
The benefits of parental engagement are clear. We
particular, this helped pupils with special know schools want to engage parents, and parents
educational needs and/or disabilities, those want to be engaged. So, what can parents and
with low attendance or who were potentially schools do to improve the way they work together?
vulnerable in other ways . 10
Ofsted ” Parentkind, NAHT and ASCL have collaborated
on this guidance to inspire you to overcome these
barriers and harness the power of parents to
support learning.
The majority of parents tell us they want

“
to be involved, yet many schools struggle
The effect of parental engagement over
to engage their parents.
a student’s school career is equivalent to
The 2016 Parentkind adding two or three years to that student’s

”
Annual Parent education. 9
Survey found
John Hattie

84%
that 84% of
parents wanted
to be consulted
about their child’s
education.
Please note: underlined words denote a
link to our research and resources.
Barriers to developing an effective
home-school partnership
What Parents Say What Teachers Say
Lack of time (work, childcare) Lack of time for both teachers and parents

Haven’t been asked Difficult getting parents interested/involved

Low self-esteem, find the idea of getting involved Belief among parents that educating their children is
intimidating the school’s job

Negative experience of school Parents unable to support their child’s learning

because of limited education

Low aspirations Families disengaged with education

Health issues Reluctance of parents to come into school

Lack of guidance on how to support their child Lack of training in parent engagement

Not sure what skills and knowledge they can Challenging parent behaviour
contribute

Read full parent survey results here. Read full teacher survey results here.

School leaders and parents need to understand both the drivers and barriers for their own school and explore how best
to address them. Engaging both parents and teachers in this process is crucial. A parent body such as a parent council,
parent forum or PTA can help schools to bridge the gulf that often exists. Teachers need to understand that working with
parents will help them do their job more effectively, avoid time-consuming conflict and help them achieve better outcomes
for their students.

You can build positive

parental participation by: “ Parent engagement offers the best lever
to narrow the achievement gap.11
”
P25 “Narrowing the achievement gap”
1. Taking a whole school approach including Dr J Goodall 2017.
strong leadership/commitment of the Head and
governing body

2. Effective and regular two-way

communication

3. Support for home-school learning

4. Parental participation in school life.

 How to build an
effective home-
school partnership
1 A whole school strategic approach to parental
engagement is prioritised in the whole school
development plan where parents are considered
partners.
When this is done well:
• There is an expectation that every member of the
team plays their part. From the receptionist and
administrative staff, pastoral teams and teachers to
senior leaders and governors, all make it a priority to
reach out to parents, to involve them in their child’s
learning and in the life of the school.
• Training and support is provided for all members
of staff in how to engage parents effectively in their
children’s learning, and how to overcome the barriers
outlined above.
• Where possible, parents are involved in decision-
making on issues which affect them, and school
policies reflect the views of parents. When making
decisions at every level, school staff and leaders
consider the impact on parents.

Suggestions for schools: Suggestions for parents:

• Have a member of senior management and a • Encourage teachers to develop a home-school
governor responsible for parent engagement agreement that includes parent engagement
• Build parent engagement into school • Take advantage of communication opportunities
improvement plan that the school provides to give your view
• Develop a home-school agreement that makes • Join/set up a parent council or parent forum to
it clear what you expect of parents, and what support the school in developing policies and
you will do to support them giving parent views
• Measure and celebrate your success making
sure parents and staff know the impact that
working together has had on things such as
learning, attendance and behaviour
• Provide parent engagement training for staff.
• Encourage staff to visit other schools with
strong parental engagement strategies
• Consider ways to raise or challenge parents’
aspirations for their children, such as bringing
in inspirational speakers or members of
the community doing interesting jobs,
and inviting both children and parents to
hear them speak
 2 Effective and regular two-way communication 3 Support for home-school learning where parents
between home and school is prioritised and there are given information about what their children
is an emphasis on building trust. are learning and ideas about how they can
support them at home.
When this is done well:
• Parents are clear about how they can best help their When this is done well:
child and where to go if they need help or support. • Opportunities to develop parenting skills are offered
They know how to contact their child’s teacher(s) so that parents support social, emotional and
and can expect a timely response. behavioural well-being and can encourage their
children to become active citizens.
• The school provides clear information and guidance
(for example through the use of video clips, apps and • Where parents have poor basic skills, schools
social media) and regular opportunities for dialogue signpost them to support so that they are able to
to ensure that parents and teachers work together in better help their child.
support of the child.
• Teachers suggest resources, activities and local visits
that families can do together to support learning.

Suggestions for schools: • Parents have access to the curriculum online and
information about the content and timing of national
• Use different ways to communicate with parents tests.
depending on their communication preferences
(newsletter, noticeboards, social media, face to • Opportunities are provided for parents to
face meetings) communicate with teachers about how their child is
doing and what they need to do to progress.
• Consider how to ensure parents for whom
English isn’t their first language can access your
communications Suggestions for schools:
• Ensure school policies are easy for parents to access • Hold sessions for parents to explain how the
• Make your school welcoming so parents know they school teaches key aspects of the curriculum (e.g.
can approach you (e.g. parent notice board zone) phonics, maths), and how they can support this
work at home
• Make sure there are straightforward ways for
parents to provide feedback • Share resources such as learning games and activities
that parents can share with children at home, or
• Always feed back to parents when you have taken guidance on emotional or vocational support
their ideas on board or from surveys you’ve asked
them to fill in • Share information with parents to update them
on that year’s learning expectations and goals,
exams and other important dates through
Suggestions for parents: information evenings and text messages
• Send the school a positive message when • Give parents the heads-up on what you are
something is going well (teachers and school teaching from month to month
leaders need to know this just as much as what
can be improved)
Suggestions for parents:
• If you have any concerns, speak to the school
– you both have the same goals for your child! • Share a story with your child (if they are older, let
Keep communication respectful whatever forum them read to you or share discussions on books)
is used (face to face, email, social media) • Create an environment where they can
• Familiarise yourself with the school’s policies concentrate on learning
(they should be on their website), so you know • Visit the library with your child and get them a
what to expect, and when it might be appropriate library card – there are resources for all ages
to question things
• Remember, having a positive view about your
child’s school and education goes a long way
and really affects how well your child does
 4 Parental participation in school life strengthens
the school and builds the home-school Suggestions for schools:
partnership. There are a range of opportunities for • Support the set-up of your school’s parent
participation recognising that parents will want to council and ensure there is a clear pathway of
contribute in different ways. accountability to the leadership team
When this is done well: • Where possible, include your parents in
• Parents are invited to join the parent group (such important school decisions
as parent council or PTA) and contribute to parent • Support your PTA and help it to modernise and
forums or focus groups. appeal to more parents
• A culture of parent volunteering is developed – with • Consider ways in which you can open up
training provided where needed. your school to community events, to help
• It is acknowledged that schools cannot educate more parents feel comfortable in the school
children on their own and will benefit by building environment
a genuine partnership with their parents and local • Undertake an audit of your parent community’s
communities. knowledge, skills and experience, and invite
individual parents to contribute to the school in
particular ways
Suggestions for parents:
• Volunteer/offer to help (don’t wait to be asked)
Success stories exemplifying many of
• Start or join a parent group (your PTA is usually
these suggestions can be found on the looking for new members)

Parentkind website: parentkind.org.uk • Be welcoming and encouraging to other parents

– especially those who might not feel they can
engage – just ask!

About the Authors

Parentkind supports schools to work with parents and parents members and deliver first class professional development. We
to work with schools. Our vision is of an education system speak on behalf of members and act on behalf of children and
where schools and local communities work together to get young people.
the best for all children. Our aim is to help all schools develop
a 21st century home-school partnership fit for a 21st century NAHT is now in its 120th year and represents more than 29,000
school in a 21st century society. Our offer is training, guidance school leaders in early years, primary, secondary and special
and support to make such partnerships a reality. schools, making us the largest association for school leaders
in the UK. We represent, advise and train school leaders in
The Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) is a England, Wales and Northern Ireland. We use our voice at the
professional body and trade union, representing over 18,000 highest levels of government to influence policy for the benefit
school leaders across the UK, including heads, principals, of leaders and learners everywhere. NAHT Edge supports,
deputies, vice-principals, assistant heads and business develops and represents middle leaders in schools.
managers. ASCL members are responsible for the education of
more than four million children and young people in primary Other Research:
and secondary schools and FE colleges. ASCL works to shape For details on further research underpinning this guidance
national education policy, provide advice and support to please go to parentkind.org.uk

1
F Carnie (2011) The Parent Participation Handbook: a practical guide to maximising parental involvement in your school Optimus Education. 2Feinstein & Symons 1999, Attainment in Secondary School, Oxford
Economic Papers 51. 3Deforges & Abouchaar (2003) The Impact of parental involvement parental Support & Family Education on Pupil Achievements& Adjustments DfES Research Report 2003. 4Melhuish, E.,
Sylva, C., Sammons, P., Siraj-Blatchford, I. & Taggart, B. (2001). Social, behavioural and cognitive development at 3-4 years in relation to family background. The effective provision of pre-school education, EPPE
project. DfEE: London: The Institute of Education. 5Deforges & Abouchaar 2003. 6Feinstein & Symons 1999. 7Feinstein & Symonds 1999 and Deforges & Abouchaar 2003. 8DWP 2002. 9J Hattie (2008) Visible learning:
A synthesis of over 800 meta-analyses relating to achievement. Routledge. 10Ofsted 2011 Schools and parents April 2011, No. 100044 . 11Alma Harris; Janet Goodall, (2007): Engaging Parents in Raising Achievement
Do Parents Know They Matter? DCSF Research Report RW004

t: 0300 123 5460 | e: [email protected] | parentkind.org.uk

Parentkind is a registered charity, number 1072833; a company limited by guarantee. Reg. in England No. 3680271.