Parental Engagement
How schools and trusts can strengthen their engagement strategies
Parental engagement is more than just keeping families informed. It’s about creating a strong partnership between schools and parents, working together to support children’s learning, development, and wellbeing.
It’s not just about termly reports and Parents’ Evenings – it’s about building trust, improving communication, and encouraging parents to play an active role in their child’s education.
Why parental engagement matters more than ever before
When parents are engaged, everyone benefits – pupils, parents, and schools.
For pupils, the evidence is clear. Children do better when their parents are involved. They attend more regularly, behave better, and make stronger progress both academically and socially.
For parents, engagement builds confidence and helps them feel part of the school community. They’re better informed, more able to support learning at home, and more likely to raise concerns in a constructive way.
For schools, strong engagement improves communication, strengthens relationships, and reduces misunderstandings. It can lead to fewer complaints, greater parental support, and a more positive school culture.
Ofsted also places importance on parental engagement. Inspectors look at how schools communicate with families, listen to their views, and involve them in shaping the direction of the school. Many schools have parental engagement policies in place for this reason, but don’t necessarily incorporate the principles into their everyday communications.
What do we mean when we say “parental engagement”?
There’s no single way to “do” parental engagement. It can take many different forms, depending on the school and the needs of its families. Here are some common examples:
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Regular updates by text, email, newsletter or school apps
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Booking systems for Parents’ Evenings and school events
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Surveys and feedback forms to understand parent opinions
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Parent workshops to support reading, maths or digital learning
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Coffee mornings or community events that build relationships
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Recognition of pupils’ achievements shared with families
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Support and advice around behaviour, attendance or wellbeing
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Involving parents in decision-making or improvement plans
The key is to find approaches to each of these areas that feel meaningful, accessible and relevant for your parent community.
Visit our Engagement Essentials Hub to download free resources to help your school boost parental engagement!
Understanding barriers to parental engagement
While schools work hard to involve families, engagement doesn’t always come easily. There are often barriers that prevent some parents from getting involved:
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Time constraints – many parents work long hours, shifts, or have other responsibilities
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Language barriers – families who speak English as an additional language may struggle to access information
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Confidence issues – some parents feel intimidated by school settings or unsure of how to help
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Negative past experiences – parents who struggled at school themselves may feel disconnected or unwelcome
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Digital exclusion – not all families have reliable internet access or digital devices
Recognising these challenges is an important step in designing more inclusive and effective engagement strategies.
Strategies to improve parental engagement in school
Small, consistent actions can make a big difference to improve parental engagement. Some proven strategies include:
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Clear and consistent communication – avoid jargon, use plain English, and make sure information is easy to find and understand
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Use a variety of channels – combine texts, emails, printed letters and app notifications to reach more parents
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Be proactive – don’t just communicate when there’s a problem; share good news and celebrate achievements too
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Offer flexible options – online meetings, digital booking systems and recordings of workshops can help parents engage on their own terms
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Make it easy to respond – quick surveys, polls, or simple feedback forms encourage more people to share their views
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Build trust over time – being approachable, empathetic, and consistent goes a long way in building positive relationships
Want more ideas and free resources to help your school? Visit our Engagement Essentials Hub!
Making engagement more inclusive
Engaging every parent means thinking inclusively. Schools must ensure that no family is left behind due to language, literacy, or access needs.
Automatic message translation, for example, is a simple but powerful way to include families who don’t speak English as their first language. If parents can’t understand the information you’re sharing, they can’t take part.
Other inclusive practices include:
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Using plain English and avoiding educational jargon
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Providing materials in audio or video format for parents with lower literacy levels
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Offering access to devices or internet support where needed
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Involving community figures or parent ambassadors who can help build connections
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Timing communications to suit working parents or carers
Setting expectations and building relationships
Setting clear expectations with parents early on helps avoid confusion and ensures everyone is working together. This might include outlining how the school will communicate, what kind of updates families can expect, and how parents can raise concerns or get involved. This often forms part of a school’s parental engagement policy.
But setting expectations is only part of the picture. Strong relationships are built through regular contact, honest conversations, and a genuine commitment to partnership. Taking the time to listen, respond, and be present can make a lasting difference.
Parents are more likely to engage when they feel respected and when they know their input is valued.
How to gather feedback from parents and carers
Listening to parents is essential for good parental engagement. Gathering feedback helps you understand what’s working, what isn’t, and where improvements can be made.
There are lots of simple ways to collect feedback:
- Online surveys and polls
- Feedback slips at events or after meetings
- Focus groups or parent forums
- One-to-one conversations during drop-off or pick-up
Whatever method you choose, make sure it’s easy to access and act on the feedback. Sharing how you’ve responded to feedback builds trust and encourages more parents to engage in the future.
Discover more ways to boost your parental engagement
By building strong relationships, listening to feedback, and using the right tools, schools can create a culture where every parent feels informed, included and empowered. When schools and families work together, great things happen.
To find out more about how we can support your parental engagement strategy at both a school and multi-academy trust level, get in touch with our friendly team today.
