Parental involvement: New teachers - you are not alone!
By Celia Burn, Parental Involvement Co-ordinator for LTS
You will find as a new teacher that parents are a valuable source of information about the children you teach. They will be able to give insights into their children’s out-of-school interests and hobbies as well as their approaches to learning and homework. They may be able to identify ways in which they feel they could be more involved in supporting their children’s learning at home or by contributing time or skills to the school. Very often, they are just waiting to be asked!
Although it may feel like it sometimes, you are not on your own in trying to do the best for the children you teach. Between the ages of 5 and 16, children spend only 15 per cent of their time in school, which means that much of their learning also takes place in the home and in the community. Parents play a key role as their children’s first and ongoing educators and are keen for them to do their best and achieve their potential. Some may not be aware of the key role they play and may need information and advice from the school. Other parents may want to help but may not know how to be most effective in linking with the work that their children are doing in the classroom.
Working in partnership with parents has become all the more significant since the passing of the Scottish Schools (Parental Involvement) Act 2006. The Act identifies three main strands to parental involvement:
1. Learning at home
Recognising the vital role that parents and other carers play in children’s learning and development. As the first and ongoing educators of their own children parents should receive information and support to help develop their child’s learning at home and in the community.
2. Home-school partnership
Schools, parents and the community have a shared role and responsibility in working together to educate children. Effective home-school partnerships are essential to ensure that children get the most out of their school and the education system.
3. Parental representation
The Act provides a framework for ensuring that parents have the opportunity to express their views and have these taken into account on policy matters affecting the education of their children.
The Parents as Partners in Learning website provides information on the Act in the three areas outlined above and ideas and resources to support you in developing effective communication with parents. There is a toolkit that is designed to help you identify areas of good practice and priorities for development and many other resources designed to help you work with parents. Many of the materials can be downloaded in Word format and customised to your own circumstances.
Remember – research shows that when parents are involved, children do better and achieve more. It is in everyone’s interests to make partnerships with parents positive and productive and this website is crammed with ideas to support you in making this happen.