PARENT PARTNERSHIPSBERWICK HILLS PRIMARY

H.Hughes

When parents are involved in their children's education both children and parents are likely to benefit.

Researchers report that parent participation in their children's schooling frequently:• enhances children's self-esteem• improves children's academic achievement• improves parent-child relationships• helps parents develop positive attitudes towards schooland a better understanding of the schooling process.

When parents are actively engaged in supporting their child’s success at school their children are more likely to be motivated, to earn higher levels, to have better behaviour and social skills and to

continue their education to a higher level.

Benefits…For the school:Successful parent involvement improves:• Children’s behaviour: Children feel valued and

important when their parents take an interest in their lives.

• Achievement: Children perform better at school when their parents are involved in their education.

• Attendance

Benefits…For staff:• Staff experience a higher level of job

satisfaction in an environment that encourages listening, respect and appreciation.

• Staff stress levels are reduced when staff and parents work in partnership.

• Staff can develop important social skills when they communicate with parents.

Benefits…For Parents• Involvement gives parents the opportunity to

discuss their child’s interests with staff and to have some input into their learning.

• Parents who are familiar their children’s learning feel more comfortable about raising concerns and negotiating solutions with staff.

• Positive partnerships with staff can relieve parent stress.

Barriers…

• Schools often don't engage parents because they don't think they can.

• Parents are sometimes hesitant to become involved in school because they don't have time.

• Parents believe that they are not welcome. It comes in part from their own education history.• Don't feel like [being involved] is guaranteed to be

a good experience.

Right from the start…• Welcome all parents and incoming students by sending a

welcome greeting letter.• Invite parents and children to an Open Day.• Learn about the children and their families, special interest etc.• Establish positive communication with all families, and give

some information about yourself as a teacher and your staff.• Let parents know about your philosophy and teaching practices.• Set out classroom policies and inform parents when and how it’s

best to reach you.• Find out what the parents want!!! Do they want help with child

care? More social events? Support?

Developing Parent Partnerships:

Establishing trust -Put Out the Welcome MatSome parents may not be comfortable in a school setting. The need to create a school climate that makes parents feel comfortable and welcome.• The School Information PackageCreate a welcoming information package for parents new to the school. Include information about the school systems, parent links, key dates, school events and opportunities for parent involvement.• Meet and Greet Welcome events/open days for new parents/Try a meal with their child/stay and play/learn with your child session.

• Break Down BarriersMany parents would welcome the opportunity to engage in the school community, but face genuine barriers to involvement. Help encourage parent involvement by addressing the most common issue: • Childcare Access to child care or cannot afford the cost of a childcare. Provide playgroup facilities or bring your child to the event.

• Volunteer Training Offering a school volunteer training program can go a long way to building parent confidence and building involvement. Sessions might be considered. e.g. providing coaching on being a reading buddy, or a library assistant.

• Parent Education Parents often welcome information on a variety of topics related to parenting and their children's schooling. Consider developing information sessions on topics such as the parent-teacher interview; working successfully with teachers; school volunteering; adolescence; internet safety; drug and alcohol issues; or successful homework hints.BHPS offered to parents: Literacy/Numeracy courses.

• The Multicultural ProgramWhere the school serves a diverse community, multicultural programs and events can serve not only to welcome all parents, but also to share and enjoy a wide range of traditions, cultures, sports and other activities. Some examples of events:• Hold an international dinner with explanations of

foods from around the world.• Hold an international fair in which families create

simple displays highlighting their customs and traditions.

• Get the Word OutCommunication is essential to building parent involvement. What parents know and perceive about the school depends on what they see, hear and read. These tips will help you use a variety of communications tools to keep parents informed and engaged in the life of the school.

• Notice BoardsNoticeboards are often placed in highly visible locations within the school. They provide a prime opportunity for announcing school events and keeping parents informed of important dates.

• The School Newsletter and WebsiteNewsletters and school website postings can be used to send information home and to keep parents informed. Promote school by using the Gazette.

• Be PersistentBuilding parent involvement is not an 'event' but a process. An effective parent involvement program will take place over months rather than days, and with continued effort, will be sustained over years. • The Reminder ProgramParents lead busy lives. Remember to send frequent reminders home to parents about important school events. Email /texts are a cost-effective and efficient method for keeping parents informed on a day-to-day basis.

• The Showcase EveningUse a special showcase evening to highlight school activities, to provide parent education, or to offer the opportunity to meet other parents. Some examples are:Feature a school activity or project such as the school choir or band, a drama group.Providing speakers to present information on a topic of interest to parents such as homework strategies, discipline or health-related topics.• The School Fair/Summer ShowConsider organising a career, health or community services fair. Participants may include parents and representatives from outside groups in the community. A fair provides an excellent opportunity for community involvement, and demonstrates the school's commitment to supporting families.

• LEARNING AT HOMEInvolve families with their children in learning activities at home, including homework and other curriculum-linked activities and decisions.• PARENTING

Assist families with parenting skills. Work closely with Parent Support Advisor within your school.

PARENT PARTNERSHIPSBERWICK HILLS PRIMARY

WHAT HAVE WE DONE SO FAR IN SCHOOL??

FAST

• How to engage the parents???Sharing food encourages goodwill and is an important part of community building.“We offer free food to get them in the door. That is a major need in our community.”—Matt Rogers Menefee

What is ‘FAST’?

FAST was developed in 1988 by Dr Lynn McDonald, Professor of social work.

Today it has been implemented in over 2500 schools in 18 countries.

‘FAST’ is a unique family learning programme, providing ways for families to come together, get to know each other and get ideas to support their child’s learning at

home.

The goal of ‘FAST’ is to increase the likelihood of the child’s being successful in the home, at school, and the

community.

What is ‘FAST’?

To help create these opportunities for success, ‘FAST’ builds the central

protective factor of family cohesion. This is accomplished through repeated sequenced

activities, which are researched based. These activities respect and build the

parent’s role as the child’s primary prevention agent.

‘FAST’ in Berwick Hills

• We started the ‘FAST’ programme the end of January 2013 and it continued for 8 weeks.

• Our school aim was to enroll 40 families.• 10 families in each hub.• There was 39 families who expressed interest in joining ‘FAST’.• We had 32 families join ‘FAST’ in week 1.• We had 22 families continue with ‘FAST’ for the following 8

weeks.• ‘FAST’ took place once a week for 8 weeks.• We invited any family with a child aged 3 to 7 years.• Families took part in activities which include, sharing a meal,

singing, play and learning, parents and children’s time.• Each week a family won a hamper to support learning in the

home.

Do you feel the ‘FAST’ programme has helped to improve the parnership

between parents and school?

Comments made in relation to this question were:• “I talk more to the parents and the teachers now.”• “I feel like I know know the teachers better.”• “The parents and children we have met, now say hello when we see them.”• “I have made some more friends coming here.”• “I talk to the teachers better and got to know them better.”• “I now talk to a lot more of the other children’s parents and the staff in the

school are always asking if we are O.K?• “I feel I could tell the school any problems now.”• ‘The kids have learnt how to set a meal out and express their feelings.”• “I feel I know more staff members, therefore able to speak to more if need be.”

The Evaluation Report

The analysis of the pre and post questionnaires completed by the parents and the teachers of the children who attended ‘FAST’ was by Middlesex University. The key findings :• Parent school involvement increased by 350%• Total parent involvement in education

increased by 136%

Fast works

• Families now attend monthly coffee mornings all run by the parent FAST facilitators and our PSA.

• Families organise Family trips out together.• Currently organising at fun after school club.

Nursery Graduation

Red Nose Day Competition

Dinosaur Party

Waste

Week

Super Hero Day

Staff Fun

Easter Bonnet Parade

Family Fridays

Open Days

Family Fridays

Sharing Learning Journeys

Parents Questionnaires

Phonic MeetingsDough DiscoDigit Dance

Demonstrations

The Importance and Impact of

Role-play at Berwick Hills Primary.

Reindeer Parade

Berwick Hills Summer Show

Sports Days

Dads Days

Reading with Dads

Daily Door Interactions

Praise

Homework

Reading Diaries

Friends of Berwick Hills

Family school trips

Christmas ProductionsClass Assemblies

After school clubs

Reports

TransitionsPrivate Nurseries

Key stages

Reports

A Raffle

Early years Quality Mark

LPPA

• How to tell if a partnership is working???If parents are really involved in their child’s life at school you can expect:• ongoing informal conversations about the child• parents and professionals to bring issues and

concerns out in the open• professionals to find ways of connecting with

parents and letting them in on their child’s day• parents’ focus on their child being accepted and

viewed as a positive thing• parents being encouraged to share information