Raising Achievement
Engaging Parents to Raise Achievement
''Parental interest in their child's education is the single most powerful predictor of achievement at age 16'' Attainment in secondary school report, Feinstein and Symons
Parents, carers and family members are by far the most important influences on their children's lives. They influence how young people think about education, their future and society. Therefore, their support and engagement in learning are crucial.
The school works with parents on the understanding that this will support children in school and with their progress. This goes beyond the traditional methods of sending letters home, parents' evenings, reports etc. Parental engagement is at the core rather than the periphery of schooling. It is the most important school improvement lever we have.
Technology is changing the way we communicate with parents and is increasingly becoming an everyday part of home and school life. It is enabling us to manage and provide more information to meet the needs of parents, staff and learners. It is also providing fresh opportunities to engage and involve parents who live at a distance from the school. ICT is supporting the partnership between home and school, enabling effective two-way communication and giving parents the flexibility to access information where and when is convenient.
The range of technologies being used to share information with parents
A wide range of technologies is being used so that information is produced and presented in a meaningful way to parents and supports better dialogue between parents and learners. Communications with parents and between staff must be manageable and compliment face-to-face interactions. The technology must also both record and report information in a timely way as part of learning and teaching practice.
When ICT is exploited effectively there is a better dialogue between parents and their children leading to improved achievement. There is also a greater range of opportunities for working in partnership with parents and more flexible working practices to support the mentoring of learners.
Information for parents
The Virtual Learning Environment (accessible via the web site) enables parents to gain access to the calendar of events, all policies and procedures, schemes of work etc.
Coursework and homework
Teachers are able to set work to groups of pupils or to a specific individual and pupils can submit their work to the teacher via the Virtual Learning Environment.
Access to Resources
Subject specific teaching and learning resources can be uploaded onto the Virtual Learning Environment and teachers can direct pupils to these resources when setting homework.
email exchanges
All teachers and pupils have email addresses and can communicate with each other in a safe and secure way through the Virtual Learning Environment. Teachers use emails to inform parents about learning and the day-to-day things that happen in school. They can attach photos, sound files or video clips so that parents have a real feel for what is happening in school.
Two-way communication
In the near future parents will be able to listen to pod casts from teachers to find out what their children have been learning. Through the use of forums, parents will have the opportunity to respond and ask further questions.
Sharing achievements
The Virtual Learning Environment allows teachers to share learner achievements with parents and for parents to respond about what they see and hear. Parents can also share out of school experiences and achievements with the teachers / Mentors.
SMS Texting
Text messaging is a quick, easy and accessible means of communicating with parents.
Mobile 'phone alerts
The use of mobile 'phone technology can help to remind parents about activities that are happening in school.
On-line Reporting
Individual pupil profiles and targets are shared with parents on the Virtual Learning Environment. Parents have the opportunity to discuss their child's work directly with the teacher through the use of a comments box.