Message from the Head of Teaching and Learning

The Importance of Parental Engagement & Home-School Communication

Decades of research have shown that parental engagement and involvement in their child’s education significantly impact positively on a student’s success. We know that there is a positive relationship between parental involvement and academic achievement, but beyond this, students with involved parents experience fewer behavioural problems; healthier social and emotional development, and higher quality student-teacher relationships.

A Home-School partnership is crucial in supporting students’ academic achievement and positive well-being. No two children are the same. Some are bubbly and confident and seem to breeze through school, taking everything in their stride. Others do not. Some thrive academically; some musically; some artistically. Some shine on the Sports Field. Some 21st century learners present as independent digital natives who neither need, nor want parental involvement in their learning. But there is one thing that they all have in common – whether or not they are explicitly aware of it – and that is the desire for a genuine interest in what they are doing at school. What are their strengths and successes? What are their passions and aspirations? With what do they struggle? What are their areas for development?

Chatting to your child about what they are doing and how they are travelling at school is invaluable – celebrating with them and praising them for every success; supporting and encouraging them through each challenge; reminding them that it is OK to make mistakes, as long as they learn from them.

This may be common sense but is not always that easy to engage and demonstrate genuine interest when you know little about the day to day life of your child at school. This is where the Home –School partnership becomes so important. In addition to reading the newsletters and bulletins, from this term, you will be able to access the Student Portals on the FROG Community Dashboard. From here you will be able to see exactly what it is, that your child is studying in all of his/her subjects; the dates and details of his/her assessments and excursions and other co-curricular activities. Knowing what is going on at school is a great conversation starter; knowing exactly when and where the year’s ‘pressure points’ are, means that you can offer the emotional support, encouragement and engagement that your child needs – even if they may not appear to ‘want’ it.

Parent-Teacher evenings are another important opportunity for you to demonstrate your involvement and engagement with your child’s learning. This is why we encourage you to bring your child with you – he/she is at the centre of their own learning and ultimately responsible for achieving his/her own potential. The three-way conversation between the teacher, the student and the parent/s is crucial in jointly celebrating and applauding success and ascertaining areas for development and supportive ways forward.

If your child achieves highly in something outside of school; contributes positively to the community or demonstrates behaviour that is worthy of celebration, let us know!

Unfortunately, there are times when students experience challenges. Keeping us informed about anything that may detrimentally impact on your child’s learning, and emotional and social development at school, will help us to support and nurture your child.

There is no doubt that when parents actively demonstrate an interest in their child’s learning and collaborate with teachers, the entire educational system benefits, from students to teachers to parents themselves. Positive Home-School communication enables this.

Serena Lewis

Head of Teaching and Learning