Engaging parents and families in attendance in school
Engaging parents and families, listening to, valuing and acting upon their opinions and expertise regarding their children and young people is key to ensuring good attendance at school.
Discussions with parents and families about attendance should take cognisance of the challenges that can be part of everyday family life such as work commitments, dealing with financial challenges, bereavement, and mental health and wellbeing.
Equipping the workforce and ensuring they have access to, and are signposted towards resources, case studies and research to improve their skills, knowledge and experience of school non-attendance is vital.
It is also important to ensure that staff have the required competencies, skills and values needed to work with parents and families to support their child’s and their own learning journey.
What is this?
A resource for practitioners and educators on improving school attendance.
Who is it for?
This resource is for practitioners and educators who work with parents and families and/or are involved in improving attendance in settings and schools.
Read the report: Engaging Parents And Families In Attendance In School
This resource provides some background context and information for practitioners and educators who work with parents and families on improving school attendance.
This resource was developed in consultation with practitioners and educators to support settings, schools and local authorities who work with parents and families to improve school attendance.
This is to ensure that practitioners and educators are informed and equipped to:
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build strong relationships and work in partnership with parents and families
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support parents and families to improve school attendance
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support parents and families to engage in their children’s and their own learning
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ensure the existing and future workforce is developed
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support children and families to improve their mental health and wellbeing
Ensuring that all parents and families are supported to improve their child’s attendance at school, taking account of and addressing barriers preventing this is key to improving outcomes.
It is important for everyone to understand that attendance at school does not happen in isolation. There is an interrelated correlation between attendance, family, home, community and the quality of the curriculum within the setting or school, ethos, behaviour and inclusivity.
Practitioners and educators are encouraged to use the accompanying resources, other key documents and case studies on improving school attendance when delivering training.
The resource ensures that all parents and families are supported to be engaged and address barriers to attending school which is key to raising attainment and improving outcomes.
Webinar Series:
Webinar 1
This webinar outlined the newly launched ‘Engaging parents and families to improve attendance in school’ resource. This resource has been developed in partnership between Education Scotland, Scottish Government, partner and stakeholder groups, Parental Engagement Officers, Family Learning practitioners, parents and families, children and young people.
Attendance - Webinar 1 - YouTube
Webinar 2
This webinar highlighted effective practice from Smithycroft High School in Glasgow and Brunstane Primary School in Edinburgh who have successfully engaged parents and families in their attendance strategies to impact improved attendance at school.
Attendance - Webinar 2 - YouTube
Webinar 3 – The Disengaged Teen
Rebecca Winthrop and Jenny Anderson, co-authors of The Disengaged Teen: Helping Kids Learn Better, Feel Better, and Live Better, highlight how students are navigating shifting academic demands and social dynamics and learn evidence-based strategies, including the four modes of engagement, that educators, parents, and school leaders can use to foster meaningful connections, enhance engagement, and reignite a passion for learning in today's youth.
Attendance – Webinar 3 - YouTube
Podcasts:
Brunstane Primary headteacher talks about how their school engages parents and families to support attendance at school.
Attendance Matters at Brunstane Primary School with Chris McMillan, Headteacher
Smithycroft staff talk about their attendance journey, highlighting effective strategies that have improved their school attendance overall.
Attendance Matters at Smithycroft Secondary School: Staff - YouTube
A Smithycroft Pupil talks about her journey from non-attendance to engaging with the school full time and how the school worked with her and her family to achieve this.
