School leadership & parents

From the optimism of the 1967 Plowden Report to today’s more complex dynamics, the relationship between schools and parents has shifted dramatically. This edition of the &Parents Byline explores how we moved from deference to dialogue, why some educators long for the days of automatic respect, and what it takes to rebuild trust in 2025. Thought-provoking, grounded, and timely, this is a must-read for anyone working with families in schools.

Instead of labelling families as “hard to reach,” schools must examine how their own systems create barriers to engagement. True partnership means shifting from token consultation to shared decision-making and building trust through culturally responsive, reciprocal relationships. The challenge isn’t getting parents to try harder; it’s making schools more reachable.

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.

This article breaks down why parent-school interactions are essential, what gets in the way, and how schools can help to fix it.