The research is clear: children achieve as much as 4 additional months of progress per year when schools and families work in tandem. A supportive, collaborative relationship between home and school enhances student engagement, builds resilience, and contributes to positive behaviour. Yet, a familiar challenge persists; busy lives, competing priorities, and a perception that their child must become more independent can all contribute to a decline in engagement, leaving schools grappling with how to reclaim that essential connection. For many schools, this can feel like an uphill battle to reclaim family interest and support.
The ideal partnership isn’t just about helping with homework or attending parents’ evenings. It’s about creating an environment where families feel empowered, informed, and connected to their child’s education journey from early years to secondary school and beyond.
The key lies in building trust, creating ongoing communication channels, and fostering a sense of shared responsibility for student outcomes. Here are 5 practical strategies to help schools reignite parental engagement:
One reason parental involvement fades is that interactions between schools and families become more transactional. For example, communication may centre on academic progress reports or behaviour management, rather than the holistic development of the child. Schools should aim to shift from transactional to relational engagement, which focuses on the whole child, including their emotional and social development, going beyond formal meetings and touch-points, encouraging meaningful conversations about the child’s experiences and progress.
Modern life is busy, and many families find it difficult to commit time to traditional school meetings and events. Schools can adapt by meeting parents where they are — both physically and digitally. Virtual meetings, recorded information sessions, and flexible events allow parents to stay involved without disrupting their schedules. Additionally, engaging parents via social media, text alerts, and easy-to-use communication apps can keep them informed and connected.
Many parents disengage because they feel unequipped to support their child’s learning as academic content becomes more complex. Schools can combat this by offering targeted support and resources that show parents practical ways to reinforce learning at home. Schools can also create culturally responsive engagement initiatives, recognising that parents from diverse backgrounds may engage differently. Offering materials which can be accessed through programmes that can translate into multiple languages or creating specific events for different cultural groups can help all families feel included.
Parental engagement is often strongest when it is linked to a child’s early development milestones. However, schools can encourage ongoing engagement by emphasising the long-term importance of parental support, not just for academic success but for life skills and future opportunities. Help parents understand how their involvement in Years 3, 5, or 7 will contribute to their child’s resilience, problem-solving abilities, and independence.
Regular updates that highlight how parents can support learning at home, such as tips for encouraging reading habits or setting up forums for topical issues such as setting boundaries with technology, can reinforce the message that they are essential partners in their child’s education.
Parents are more likely to remain engaged when they feel personally connected to their child’s school experience. Make an effort to share individualised communication that highlights a child’s progress, strengths, and areas for growth. Parents appreciate knowing that their child is seen, valued, and supported by the school.
For some families, previous negative experiences with education may impact their willingness to participate. Schools can break down barriers by offering non-judgmental, supportive outreach that makes parents feel safe and respected. One school in London, struggling with breaking down barriers between the community and professionals, sought to create a living room space within the school and introduced themselves to parents using their first names to help reduce this distance.
One often overlooked aspect of maintaining parental engagement is fostering parent-to-parent connections. Whether through parent-teacher associations, class WhatsApp groups, or online forums, these networks help build a sense of belonging and collective investment in the school community. Parents and families are increasingly developing heightened levels of stress, isolation, or burnout. Schools must offer emotional as well as educational support for families, providing them with a network of resources to support their mental health and well-being.
Schools that succeed in keeping families involved see improved student behaviour, higher achievement levels, and a more positive school culture. The key is recognising that parental engagement is not a one-time effort but an ongoing partnership that evolves as children grow, maintaining strong and meaning relationships. By offering parents flexible, relevant, and personalised opportunities to stay connected, schools can reclaim and sustain the interest of families long after the early years.
Let’s continue working towards building these bridges with our families, ensuring that every child has the support system they need to thrive both inside and outside the classroom.
We have a range of CPD courses to support you with parental engagement including ‘Engaging Parents’ and ‘Parents as Partners’. See our courses page on our website for more details.