If you look at schools which are very successful, where pupils work hard, make progress and do well, then it is likely that relationships with parents and carers are highly valued. Although there may be some parents who believe that their children’s education should be left solely for schools to deal with and that the teacher is entirely responsible for teaching reading, writing and maths, most parents understand that their child’s success and happiness at school will rely on good parental support at home as well as strong, consistent teaching at school.

If you are a newly qualified teacher in your early twenties, dealing with parents may seem quite daunting, especially when you may lack experience of having children of your own. However, you need to remember that you are the one who is the expert on education and who has a good understanding of how children learn. Do make sure you are approachable to all the parents of the children in your class. For some parents, their own schools days were not happy ones and some find talking to their child’s class teacher a difficult prospect. Remember as well, that you may have some parents who lack confidence in their own skills and may,for whatever reason, find English and maths difficult.

Good schools will communicate well and will support staff to have good relationships with parents and carers by allowing opportunities for parents to come in to school. There may be assemblies or performances for parents to attend where they can proudly watch their offspring on stage. Open days allow parents to come in and look at their child’s work at leisure. Some schools will also offer opportunities to explain about the Curriculum and explain how parents can help their children in constructive ways.