engaging parents nov 2011

Abbeywood Community School

Teachers are from MarsParents are from Venus

EPRA…

2007-9 Engaging Parents to Raise Achievement SSAT initiative Research based & funded Explored links between parental engagement and raising achievement Over 200 case studies (see SSAT website) Led to Parental Engagement Quality Standard (PEQS)

Key question for you…

Why do schools keep on putting 100% effort into addressing 20% of the problem?

Home

80%

School

20%

Key thought for you…

DAMASCUSDAMASCUS

Key question for you…

As parents, we know what we want from our children’s school.

Why don’t we apply the same thinking to parental engagement in our own school?

A journey…What does the research tell us?

Fringe benefits of parental engagement…

Parents become allies & Parents become allies & advocatesadvocates

Synergy created – drawing on their Synergy created – drawing on their professional expertiseprofessional expertise

RewardingRewarding Build Build relationshipsrelationships

Advanced Advanced warning of issues warning of issues

via the ‘gossip’ via the ‘gossip’ lineline

Decisions based Decisions based on consultation on consultation

are harder to are harder to argue withargue with

Overarching ethos Parental Engagement and Learning Information, Communication & Dialogue

Strand overview from PEQS

Strategic development

PEQS (audit)

Focus groups – KEY AREAS, QUICK WINS, HIGH PROFILE

Parent consultation (parent evenings)

Communication focus (avoid proliferation)

FROG (website?)

If I were starting this now…

Objectives not strategiesSingle point of contact for parents (research)Access to Leadership Team without appointmentGet parents involved in school improvementLearning and behaviourConcerns/complaints policy. Ease of use?Celebrate what you do well - start a SMILE file?Target consultation – audience AND type of eventHand-pick your parents – adversary to advocate!Someone with oversight at LT level

Quick wins and no-brainers…

Hearts and minds campaign Relentless focus on key themes – adhere to

policies Be prepared to tackle difficult areas Be prepared to change Establishing a culture of positive engagement =

a proportionate rise in criticism

Essential Principles…

Engagement tools…

Learning Platform

Texting – teachers2parents

Email

Slideshare

Online booking facilities (consultation events/celebration events)

Social Media

o Parents: Do they know they matter?o https://www.education.gov.uk/publications/standard/publicationDetail/Page1/

DCSF-RBW004o http://www.amazon.co.uk/Parents-Know-They-Matter-Achievement/dp/185539

4790

o Bradley Stoke Consultant Schoolo www.bradleystokecs.org.uk/consultantschoolo www.slideshare.net/BSCS_Consultant_School (BSCS_Consultant_School)

o Useful Toolso 100 top tools for eLearningo www.teachers2parents.co.uko www.slideshare.neto www.eventelephant.como www.sliderocket.como www.prezi.como http://www.parentseveningsystem.co.uk/

Useful resources…

Useful resources…

o Useful Tools (cont.)o www.dropbox.com

o Useful websiteso http://shifthappens.wikispaces.com/homeo www.2020plus.neto www.digeratidom.como www.frogtrade.como www.twitter.como http://www.2mminutes.com/o http://www.slideshare.net/grumbledook/parental-engagement-through-ict-

tony-sheppard