Attendance follows trust and support, not blame. The piece challenges the "parents must do more" line and focuses on what moves attendance now. You get a brief read on the data and actions for schools: humane calls home, breakfast without hoops, travel help, same day wellbeing triage, phased returns, and a named adult at the gate. Parents are partners. Schools are anchors. Choose one action and start this week.

RSHE in England is changing again. The latest DfE guidance puts new weight on tackling misogyny and online influence, while making transparency with parents non-negotiable. But how do schools engage families in this sensitive and often polarising work? This post explores how real parent–school collaboration can make RSHE more effective, inclusive and values-led, without losing sight of statutory responsibilities.

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

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.