Harnessing Parent Power: Working with Parents to Improve Pupil Outcomes

Table of Contents:
Introduction an introduction to the structure and rationale of the training package relevant background and contextual detail - why is working with parents so important for schools? Training Session 1: Making the case: why work in partnership with parents? (for governors and senior leaders) a session for governors on the importance for the school of working effectively with parents. This session will look at how your school engage with parents? Are parents consulted effectively and what happens as a result of this feedback? having completed this session governors should be aware of the importance of the issue and have considered how it is managed in their school, and therefore whether improvement is needed. Training Session 2: Parents as partners: developing a whole-school approach (for senor leadership team) a session for senior leaders on the importance for the school of working effectively with parents - give research feedback on the difference it can make brief overview of different types of parental engagement and in particular which aspects make most difference to pupil achievement. senior leaders will be clear about the potential benefits to be gained from working effectively with parents and have a view of strategy in their own school. Training Session 3: Engaging parents in supporting learning (for teaching staff) having established why working with parents is important to your school, senior leaders can look at how parental engagement can be done on a whole school level it looks at what senior leaders could do to encourage parents to have more involvement in their child's education particularly in raising aspirations and providing parents with the support they need to do this. Training Session 4: Supporting your child's learning (for parents) Teachers will be asked to put themselves in the shoes of a parent to find out what they would want from the school Teaching staff need to be clear that engaging with parents can be a big lever on the performance of their pupils. Have thought about what they can do to encourage parents to support pupils' learning. Understand why 'customer service' is important. Training Session 5: Making homework work: Reviewing homework policy and practice (for staff, parents, pupils and governors) outline of distinct roles of home and school. Pointing out how vital home is - main influence and where most time is spent. provide practical things parents can do practical things school can do to support parents in this role, such as giving right information at the right time and being available. having completed this session parents should be aware of the importance their role in supporting their child's learning and know what works, have communicated with the school on what they would like support with.

About the Author :
Fiona Carnie is an Education Consultant and Visiting Research Associate at the Institute of Education, University of London. She is Director of Partnerships at the RSA Academy in Tipton in the West Midlands where she has responsibility for parent voice, student voice and links with the local community. She is also the author of one of Optimus Education's best-selling titles, The Parent Participation Handbook: A practical guide to maximizing parental involvement in your school