Connecting home and school
as partners.

At &Parents, we understand that the most successful educational journeys are built on strong partnerships between home and school. When parents and schools work together as a team, children benefit from a consistent, nurturing environment that supports their academic, emotional, and social growth. Building this partnership means more than attending a few school events—it’s about creating an open, collaborative relationship rooted in mutual respect, trust, and shared goals for your child’s success.

As parents, you play a vital role in shaping your child’s educational experience. From keeping the lines of communication open with teachers to being actively involved in school activities or supporting your child’s learning at home, your involvement has a profound impact. At the same time, schools have a responsibility to create an inclusive and welcoming environment where parents feel valued, heard, and empowered to contribute.

This section is designed to help you explore the many ways you can strengthen the connection between home and school. We’ll cover how to establish effective communication, get involved in school life, support your child’s learning at home, share your voice in decisions, and raise concerns constructively when necessary. By working together, parents and schools can create a unified approach that ensures every child has the opportunity to thrive.

Let’s take the journey together—because when home and school connect as true partners, the possibilities for your child’s success are limitless.

Effective communication.

Effective communication is the foundation of any strong relationship between parents and schools. It ensures that parents feel informed, included, and empowered to play an active role in their child’s education. Schools that foster two-way communication—where information flows both from school to parents and from parents to school—build trust and collaboration.

Parents should receive timely, clear updates on their child’s progress, school events, and opportunities to engage. At the same time, schools must listen to parent feedback, addressing their concerns and valuing their input. Modern tools such as emails, apps, and translated materials can help make communication accessible to all families, ensuring inclusivity and engagement.

Involvement in school life.

Parental involvement in school life strengthens the connection between home and the classroom. From volunteering at events to joining the parent-teacher association (PTA) or becoming a parent governor, there are many ways parents can contribute to the school community. These opportunities not only benefit the school but also create a sense of belonging and shared purpose for families. Successful schools embrace the diverse skills and talents of parents, encouraging participation in both informal activities, like school fairs, and formal roles, such as advisory groups. This inclusive approach builds trust and strengthens relationships, ultimately benefiting the students.

Supporting learning at home.

Parents play a crucial role in their child’s academic success by fostering a positive learning environment at home. Schools can support this by providing clear guidance, resources, and tools to help parents understand how they can assist with homework, reading, or developing life skills. Activities like discussing school topics, sharing books, or engaging in creative projects reinforce classroom learning and build a stronger connection between home and school. Schools that equip parents with the confidence and resources to support learning at home see improved student outcomes and higher levels of parent engagement.

Parents may feel more confident to support children of a primary and middle school age. Parents of senior school and sixth form young people may not. They should provide encouragement, help their child to maintain momentum, and support the contact of school professionals, where needed.

Parent voice.

Listening to parents and valuing their perspectives, regardless of their background, is essential for fostering collaboration between schools and families. Parents have unique insights into their children’s needs and experiences, and their voices can contribute to shaping school policies and decisions. It is important for parents to share their views and opinions with their child's school.

Schools that create formal opportunities for parent feedback—such as surveys, focus groups, or parent councils—demonstrate a commitment to partnership. By involving parents in decision-making processes, schools can create a shared vision and ensure that families feel valued as key stakeholders in their child’s education.

To ensure progress on an issue or concern, it is important to maintain a constructive dialogue between all parties.

Raising concerns.

From time to time it is natural for parents to have concerns about their child’s education, and parents should feel confident to constructively raise concerns with their child's school. Schools should have clear and transparent policies, procedures and accessible for raising and addressing these issues. These policies can often be found on the school's website.

Open, respectful communication is key to resolving concerns and maintaining trust. Schools should encourage parents to share their worries early and offer clear guidance on how to navigate the process. Whether there is a concern about academic progress, behaviour, or school policies, parents should feel confident that the concerns will be heard and addressed constructively. Concerns about pastoral provision, the quality of education, safeguarding issues should also be raised with the school.

A collaborative approach ensures that any issues are resolved in the best interest of the child.

With our expertise, innovative strategies, and commitment to collaboration, we’re confident we can meet the unique needs of your organisation.

Whether you’re looking for a one-off service or a comprehensive support plan, we’re here to help. Let’s work together to create impactful, lasting change for your school community.