The new head teacher is keen to welcome parents into the school to support children’s learning.  He believes the school belongs to everyone in the community and that everyone should have a place and a voice. Since arriving in post, he has made several changes to increase family participation.

1.        Firstly, the school has an open-door policy. This means parents are welcome to visit at any time to discuss any issues about their children. Teachers leave their classroom doors open and at any time the head teacher can hear the rhythms and atmosphere of the day to day work in the classrooms and corridors.  This is change because previously there was a lot of fear in the school

2.        Before school there is a breakfast club providing free food and social support for children who need it. This is a change because previously some children were too hungry to concentrate

3.       The parent teacher association is active in the community and parents speak up at meetings. This is a change because previously the meetings were very formal and poorly attended.

4.       Parents receive regular newsletters with aspirational stories celebrating children’s learning. This is a change because previously the only information shared was administrative.

Imagine you are a governor at this school, or a member of the school management committee, what questions would you ask the head teacher about their strategy for communicating with parents? Make some suggestions for a further change to develop two-way information.

Some questions are: 1. what is the target age?  2. How long would new strategies take effect? 3. What are we doing now to help with inclusivity with both parents and students?

Some suggestions are: 1. Have a sports and family day with both teachers, students, and parents. 2. Have monthly meeting to engaged parents and give updates on the child performance and how it can be improved.

The strategies are not difficult but because of the now global pandemic Covid-19 , it would be very difficult to implement and would take some time due to availability of technology of its members.