Keeping Abreast
Being in the know about your child's education!
Parents and guardians are a vital part of all students' experience in education. However, to make the most of this, all parties must be engaged. This may mean that, as a parent or guardian, you do some background work on the opportunities available to you. You are your child's champion and chief cheerleader, don't be shy! Believe it or not, schools value the impact of your engagement.
This article is about how to navigate staying informed and the importance of having the courage to give feedback on the process.
Where to start?
Have access to and understand the school calendar before the year begins. Many schools are very good at ensuring that parents have access to the calendar but not as many are efficient in ensuring it is truly accessible in terms of it being easily understood by non-school based stakeholders.
When you get the calendar, enquire for clarity if you have difficulty interpreting it. For example, you may prefer a year group specific version so you can see the important milestones or check in opportunities for your child that year.
Knowing what events are occurring in the school year is a useful prompt for conversations and letting your child know that you are present to support them in their school journey. Sometimes, you may even be the one reminding them as school can be overwhelming for some students. The calendar also means you can be prepared and possibly even offer your services (more on this to come under volunteering).
Most schools will also have a parent document or guide to assist in navigating processes that are crucial to students' school experience. For example, there may be a list of key assessment dates. There will also be information about how to appeal school decisions (e.g., an assessment outcome) or process a complaint.
How to ask?
It is natural and expected that you will have questions about your child during the school year. Some are minor but rest assured; the questions you may have (e.g., about the calendar) are shared by other parents. Some schools even have a FAQ section, see if your question has already been answered.
Put your questions in writing, send an email and follow up on the email. For non-urgent or sensitive matters, emailing is always a preferred alternative to calling. Schools are busy places. A call may be misdirected, or the staff member required may just not be available at that time. An email can also be used to arrange a face-to-face meeting as sometimes an item may not be urgent, but it requires a specific setting.
Tricky situations
Some situations are awkward, and it can be difficult to know who to approach in a school when you are deeply concerned or unhappy about a situation. For example, it may be that you or your child is in the wrong or either or both of you have been poorly treated. In these situations, seek out a school leader. Leaders are more likely trained to handle such concerns and are often best placed to ensure a speedy resolution.
Other parents or guardians
Some parents and guardians at a school have an existing social network. Successful schools ensure that all parents and guardians feel part of the education process. Part of this requires that there is no 'segregation' or groups within this stakeholder group that may create an elitism that could easily be transferred to students.
Although I am not claiming all parents should be friends, I highly recommend that all parents should be able to communicate with other parents, so students see there are no barriers. Do your part in ensuring this is the case.
However, unless a parent has a school recognised post (e.g., 'class parent' or PTA rep), other parents should not be used to seek information or direction on formal school matters. Improper use of this communication channel can lead to inaccurate information and distrust.
Why volunteer?
Volunteering means you can support the school in some capacity. You also get some insight into the school from a different perspective. All parents or guardians have some skill or expertise they can contribute to enriching a school.
There is a plethora of opportunities. Some are student-facing and therefore will need the appropriate clearances, for example, volunteering to support trips, library or reading sessions or helping to arrange or supervise the school bake sale.
Some are related to teachers, maybe you have an IT skill that you could deploy to help all teachers make the most of a particular free software or device. You may even be required to support other parents by providing literacy or financial capability classes.
Don't wait to be asked, make suggestions and be bold. Not only will you be improving the school experience for your child, you will be continuing a legacy that recognises the role of parents and guardians as part of the school community. This also helps to dismantle the 'them and us' mentality that holds schools, and most importantly, students back.
Questions to ask today
- Do you have access to the school calendar in advance of the school year starting?
- Do you have key contact emails should you need to ask a question or give feedback?
- Are you willing to contribute to supporting the school in finding solutions when things go wrong?
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find the school calendar?
Most schools publish their calendar on the school website or distribute it at the start of the year. If the version you receive is not specific enough for your child's year group, the article recommends asking the school directly for a more targeted version.
What is the best way to raise a concern with the school?
For non-urgent matters, email is preferred over phone — it creates a record and allows the right person to respond when available. For serious or sensitive situations, the article recommends going directly to a school leader, who is better placed to resolve complex concerns quickly.
Do I need a clearance to volunteer at school?
Yes, for any role that involves direct contact with students. The article notes that student-facing volunteer roles — such as supporting excursions, reading sessions, or supervised events — require appropriate clearances organised by the school before you can participate.
