Iain WilliamsBradley Stoke

Community School

Engaging Parents From the Word Go

David HillyardBournside

School

BSCS - Our FROG Vision• First things first – find a way in

E.G. Reporting, behaviour, communication, homework

• Quick wins are no shallow victory• Have a strategy – buy in and

scale• What’s your hook?

The Research/Evidence

Evidence

1. US &Canada

2.EPRA

3.UK 2009

4.PEQS

The Research/Evidence• 80% of the factors affecting

children happen outside school, only 20% in school…

• Why do schools focus on issues that only address 20% of the problem?

The research tells us…

Relentless focus Relentless focus on the learning agenda

Dashboard Overview• BSCS Parent Dashboard• Communication form – what

are your big issues?• Behaviour: think about the

detail!• Attendance: what do you really

want to show?• Assessment: who is reporting

for? Not you!

Focus on Learning

• Our latest hook – pulling parents in

• The idea: Y3 homework, shared learning, parents as co-learners

• The trial: Y7 first, then Y8 as well, FROG folder for basic materials

• The development: FROG pages for each assignment – all resources are there – no excuses.

Ensuring Parent Buy-In?

• 12-15 parents• Willing to talk• Recent issues? Go for hard cases!!

Target

• ONE focus: school improvement• Avoid superficial issues• 1st meeting is crucial to set protocols

Focuse.g. reporting

• 3 meetings, 2 month time span, 2/3 commitment• 90 mins long, food, 8pm finish, crèche?• Next meeting = 50% retained, 50% new• Share what you have done – “You said, we did”

MeetingStructure

FOCUS GROUPS

Dashboard Overview• Bournside Parent Dashboard–Windows 8 Metro UI?!

• What parents want to know• Making it a worthwhile visit• A reason to be online with you• Pilot group

My Child

• What data do you want to share?• Assessment widgets: are they for

you?• Using the SIMS document extractor

instead

One way stream to atwo way dialogue• Our consultation:– International Baccalaureate– Homework– Anti-bullying policy

• Idea Pads, threads, forums and forms are your friend!

Social Networking

• Interconnect the technology and think about the media– Facebook– Twitter– School Website– Frog

Issues

• Parent passwords• Getting everyone to update• Consistency in design• Document formats• Sharing content with multiple audiences• Manage parent expectations