Parental involvement strategies

What if school absence isn’t about defiance, but disconnection? This article challenges the rise in punitive attendance measures and explores how broken trust between families and schools is driving the crisis. With insights from policy, parents and practice, it asks: are we punishing families when we should be listening to them? Read on to understand why connection, not compliance, is key to getting children back into school.

As SEND reforms stir concern across England, parents and schools find themselves navigating uncertainty together. This thought-leadership piece from &Parents explores why parental voice must be central to any changes in support for children with special educational needs. Drawing on research from leading education scholars and current campaigns like Save Our Children’s Rights, it highlights how schools and families can strengthen partnerships to protect every child's right to

The summer break often leads to lost learning, but strong school–parent partnerships can make all the difference. Explore recent research on how effective collaboration with families can reduce the summer slide, keep students engaged, and ensure they return in September ready to thrive.

This article explores how well we’re preparing teachers to build strong partnerships with parents. Drawing on recent research and real classroom pressures, it asks: are we setting teachers up to succeed in one of the most important aspects of their role? With insights into teacher training, school leadership, and practical support, this piece offers timely reflection for anyone serious about strengthening parent-school collaboration.

End-of-year surveys are everywhere — but collecting feedback isn’t the same as using it. This edition explores how schools can move beyond token gestures to build real trust with families. It looks at what happens when parent feedback is ignored, and what’s possible when it’s acted on. From everyday conversations to “You said, we did” reports, small shifts in how schools listen can lead to stronger relationships and better outcomes for students.

Discover 5 strategies to partner with parents and build a school culture where families feel informed, included, and involved in meaningful ways.

In our latest article, we explore how Education Scotland’s How Good Is Our School? (HGIOS4) framework and the Scottish Government’s policies emphasize parental involvement in school improvement. By positioning parents as active partners, these frameworks help create sustainable partnerships that improve student outcomes. Learn how Scotland’s approach can offer valuable lessons for educators worldwide in fostering meaningful parent-school collaboration.

This article analyses the Council of International Schools (CIS) accreditation standards to assess how they define and promote the role of parents and carers in international schools. It highlights expectations around home–school partnerships, communication, safeguarding, and parent engagement, offering practical insight for school leaders.

The IB expects schools to build genuine partnerships with parents and legal guardians. Across all programmes, parents must be informed, involved, and treated as key stakeholders. Strong communication, clear policy sharing, and active engagement are not optional extras, they are essential to how IB schools are meant to operate every day.

It was a real pleasure to speak with Stephen Newlin from Business Gateway East Lothian for their latest ' Talking Heads ' episode,...