Improve Engagement with Parents and Carers

Low turnout at information evenings is a common complaint, and so is the vocal handful who always come. Before trying harder, ask a blunter question: why do you want parents and carers engaged, and what would success look like for the child?

With that answer, the rest gets easier. You'll look at what families want to know (sometimes the pupils can tell you) and where they'll come to learn. One school ran sessions at the local mosque and saw attendance rise. You'll also get ideas for turning round a difficult relationship, including what to do when parents smoke and swear outside the gates.

The ideas come from years of coaching school leaders. Ten of them have worked in other schools, such as good-news postcards home and giving parents time to talk to each other at events.