Can anyone give us some feedback?

[anonymousteacher]

I am a teacher who is about to deliver some training to some trainee secondary school teachers about effective communication between schools and teachers.

Can anyone share me with some "do's and don'ts" that they think prevent/lead to effective communication between parents and schools?

Thank you in advance!

[PastSellByDate]

Hi:

Was just browsing this (DD1 is Y6 and about to join secondary next year) - but these are my top tips:

1. Answer questions - don't swat them away. If you can't answer the question then and there, say you'll look into it and get back to the parent.
   
   
2. Parents often have e-mail & usually provide it to school - use it!
   
   
3. Be honest - don't tell all parents the same thing (Johnny/ Sue/ Cathy/ George/ fill in the blank - is doing well, is on target and seems to have settled in well). We do compare notes you know. Try and personalise this information. i.e. for Johnny: seems to be settling in well, especially since he joined a lot of clubs./ For Sue: Especially since she joined orchestra./ For Cathy: Especially since she became a hall monitor. For George: settling in well. He clearly is really enjoying maths and science work and his teachers have commented about how pleased they are with his work there.
   
   
4. Parents worry - it's part of the job. Reassurance shouldn't just be 'don't worry about it - they're developing at their own speed' - but should be along the lines of We're aware there's a problem and over the next few weeks you will notice that his maths homework will really focus on long division (or whatever the calculation skill issue might be).
   
   
5. BE PROACTIVE. If Johnny doesn't have his times tables - SAY SO - SAY THIS IS AN ISSUE AND IS HOLDING HIM BACK - then recommend something to remedy the situation: free on-line website games/ downloadable games (again free is best)/ games on on-line VLE/ school subscription sites like MyMaths, etc....
   
   
6. Plenty of notice. Whether it's an academic issue or you're just after money for a trip - the more notice you give parents the better.
   
   absolutely love what noblegiraffe says she does for GCSE maths pupils.

[Takver]

"also if they want to be told if their child hasn't attended when they are meant to"

[noblegiraffe]

When I start teaching a GCSE class, I send home with the kids a note asking for a parental email address, or ask at parents evening. I also give parents my email address and invite them to email me if they have any queries.

I then sent up a parent email address (BCC on emails, don't give parents every other parents email!) and email out when mocks are coming up, revision tips, details of revision sessions and if they want their child to go - also if they want to be told if their child hasn't attended when they are meant to. I also email out the homework timetable, how long homework should take etc.

I'm a maths teacher so parents are usually quite supportive and appreciate the information.

[Takver]

I'd repeat the message about a 'holding email' in response to a query within say 2 days. If I email, I realise you're likely to need to investigate/discuss with other teachers, but its great to know the email has actually arrived.

Responses by email would also be really helpful - be aware that not all parents will be allowed to accept personal calls at work (or indeed will have a private place that they can talk). Its not too bad for me, but I know a friend found it really awkward that school was only willing to discuss her dd's problems over the phone, within working hours.

[iseenodust]

DS's school has a section on the website 'letters to parents'. They haven't stopped sending out letters but it must reduce the number of 'we never got the letter' comments.

[Cerisier]

We have the rule that teachers must respond within 24 hours to a parent, even if it is just a holding email while info is sought.

All term dates and the school diary of events are on VLE and available to parents.

A brief newsletter is emailed out midweek with an update of what is happening and a big newsletter each Friday. All reminders to parents go on here plus a list of what emails/letters should have been received by parents of different year groups.

We use Edmodo and all homework has to be written on it and the date it is due. Parents have their own login for Edmodo and can see the hwk and any notes to their child if they wish.

[TeenAndTween]

• good email communication via school portal, respond within 24/48 hours.

• please let the child bring their exercise book home. if a parent is interested enough to want to see it, why deny them. ditto marked homework.

• English teachers - heads up to parents about what plays / set texts they will be studying (in case, you know, the parent may want to take child to actually see the play for real?)

• if you know the dates for this summers early GCSEs, please tell the parents. They may want to not arrange stuff for the weekend before

[sensibilityjane]

I think its useful for parents to be able to get hold of a teacher over email and expect a response in a certain time, even if it's only an acknowledgement before the actual response. It gives parents confidence in the teacher. Furthermore, if the child knows there is an open channel to their teacher which their parents can use, even if they never use it, can help to keep things, er, straight.

To this end, I've seen schools where the parents have each teacher's email address and this works very well.

It would also be great if parents were informed of all trips for the term at the start of the term instead of slips screwed up in school bags and the short notice for permission and payment. Putting all information and forms on a VLE would also be helpful, and being able to sign things electronically...? I return signed forms by scanning them in then emailing them to make sure they make it back into school. Why not offer the whole process by email?

Lastly, parent evening. A super opportunity for teachers to reinforce open comms with parents but easily a waste of everyone's time. I for one am bored with vague and non specific platitudes; it gives the impression that the teacher doesn't know who my child IS. If the child in question is not an A grade student, say so and be prepared to suggest specific strategies for improvement. "Ask when you don't understand something..." is not a strategy.

[creamteas]

Always provide a clear explanation of what the numbers and letters in a report means.

This includes not sending reports home which suggests a child is going backwards in a subject without an explanatory note to say why

Also when asked about said numbers and letters do not say that as they are computer-generated and therefore not to be taken too seriously in relation to one child, and that they are are a matter of serious concern about another.

[tougholdbird]

That feels like telling tales , but yes, that is probably next move.

One other thing worth mentioning, DS' school has a VLE, invaluable for tracking homework. Don't know if all schools have them now, but definitely recommend it!

[anonymousteacher]

Thank you both - very useful advice!

In terms of not getting an answer tougholdbird I would go to an Assistant Head/Deputy and see what they have to say?

[booksteensandmagazines]

Letters home dont always make it - it's been much easier now that they are online and we get a weekly notification telling us what new letters have been issued

It's nice to know that that the teachers in a school all follow the same steps - minor problem = note in diary, major problem = phone
call home. When a teacher doesn't follow school procedure it make sit hard for parents to understand the severity or not of a problem

Please do not ever tell children that parents don't need to make appointments for parents evening because you have nothing to say and please let parents know in advance if you aren't going to be at parents evening and offer an alternative

[tougholdbird]

I am currently struggling with this, as the department head is not responding to my emails. Maybe you can give me some tips on how to engage with him so that he will respond. I have been very polite .

I don't know what to do next, there is no escalation route I am aware of, so maybe making sure parents know what the steps are when they wish to make their voice heard?