How to use this exemplar to improve practice?

This exemplar could be used by practitioners who are seeking to reach out to parents who are looking for ways to support their child in the transition from primary to secondary school.

Some key questions include:

• What does the Middle Years Information System (MidYIS) Individual Pupil Record tell school and parents about their child?
• How can parents support their child in literacy and numeracy development?
• How can we use the data to identify barriers to learning and identify targeted interventions designed to help overcome these barriers?

Download(s)

PDF file: Parental Information Booklet (877 KB)

PDF file: Pupil Activity Book (276 KB)

PDF file: Guide for parents - Learning at home - numeracy (160 KB)

PDF file: Outcome wheels (175 KB)

PDF file: How to help your child develop literacy skills at home (55 KB)

PDF file: Booklist (175 KB)

​Explore the exemplar

What was done?

Parents/carers and pupils of all new S1 are invited in to school for a 1:1 meeting with a member of the Senior Management Team. During the meeting the Middle Years Information System data and Individual Pupil Records (IPR’s) are shared with parents. A pack of support materials is issued and explained. The pack provides strategies for parents to help support their child in their learning.

Why?

This approach was brought in for a number of reasons:

• to access parents and talk about their child’s learning and what they can do to help
• to make the emphasis about learning in S1 rather than behaviour
• to access harder to reach parents
• to build up a positive and supportive ethos with our new parents.

What was the impact?

• over 90% turnout amongst our new S1 parents
• focus on literacy and numeracy progression
• more involved parents
• earlier identification of barriers to learning
• all meetings are recorded with next steps identified
• relevant information shared with staff
• targeted Personal Learning Planning
• a more proactive positive relationship between House Teams and family
• earlier identification of poverty related issues.