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How to use this exemplar to improve practice

This exemplar, document and reflective questions can be used to help practitioners consider their own approach to involving and engaging parents and families. You are invited to read the exemplar and attachment then consider, either individually or as a team, the reflective questions below.

Reflective questions

• What change(s) do you want to see?
• What opportunities do you provide for parents and families to engage in their child’s learning and the life of the school?
• How do you seek the views of parents and families on how they would like to be involved in their child’s learning?
• How effectively do you support parents and families to participate in, contribute to and understand their child’s learning?
• Have you organised discussion​ sessions with parents, children, staff and community partners to consider your setting/school’s improvement plan and journey?
• What approach do you take to promote genuine partnerships with parents and families?
• Are there certain strategies and approaches which are successful and help engage parents?
• Do any of the existing approaches to engaging parents need to change to more creative ways?
• Are there specific barriers preventing parents and families from engaging with the school?
• How and when will you measure the impact of interventions?

What was done

Portmoak Primary School has changed its approach to involving and engaging parents. Developing and enhancing partnerships with parents and community partners has raised attainment as well as increased parental engagement in their child’s learning and wider involvement with the school.

Changing the way that the school has communicated with parents has been a key starting point. Moving towards a digital direction to communicate with parents has helped build relationship and ensured more effective two-way commu​nications. Parental surveys were undertaken and these have helped inform the school improvement plan and next steps for the school to take forward.

Portmoak Primary School Parent Council were previously more focused on difficulties or issues raised by parents. Re-focusing the Parent Council has now resulted in greater, supportive partnership working. More detailed information can be found in the document below.

PDF file: Partnerships with parents at Portmoak Primary School (134 KB)

Why?

Findings from the school’s ongoing self-evaluation procedures highlighted a lack of clarity amongst parents about what their child was learning and their progress. Additionally, there was a need for greater confidence amongst staff regarding learning at home.

Portmoak Primary has historically involved and engaged parents as part of its vision and aims.  However, there was a need to change the focus and existing ways of involving and engaging parents to a more supportive and meaningful partnership approach to improve outcomes for children.

What was the impact?

The school has seen the following improvements and impacts:

• A more family-friendly ethos across the school;
• Improved parental partnerships built on trust and respect;
• Improved community relationships where partners feel welcomed and valued;
• Clarity amongst parents and the wider community about the various roles within the school improvement plan and journey;
• Increased parental involvement at school events and engagement in their children’s learning;
• More meaningful parental involvement in school improvement planning;
• Greater number of parent volunteers;
• Increased parental confidence in the work and plans of the school to improve outcomes for children;
• Increased staff confidence in learning at home.