Contacting Parents by @sara_lou_loves

Name: SaraLouise
Twitter:  @sara_lou_loves
Sector:  Secondary
Subject: English
Position: 2ic/KS4 Coordinator
5 Bits of Advice About: Contacting parents

1. Positive contact home is important and can build relationships. Always try to open and close a conversation with positives-it shows you care.
2. Double check parent details for correct names and surnames as well as child protection issues- some parents must/must not receive the contact. Be sure before you call.
3. Golden rule: start with a positive, explain the issue, explain the impact of the issue, explain what you have done already, tell them what you intend to do, end with a positive.
4. Have specific data and facts ready before you call. Vague comments aren’t helpful. Most parents cannot and will not argue with specific data/ numbers.
5. Remember, we may teach over 200 students a week but to the parent you are on the phone to, only their child matters. As a parent, you will understand that too.

Parents and Carers by @Top_kat1

Name: Kate
Twitter name: @Top_kat1
Sector: Primary
Subject taught (if applicable):
Position: SLE / Teaching School
What is your advice about? Parents and Carers

1: Greet and meet them as often as you can; before and after school. Build your relationship as it supports your knowledge of their child. Win:win!

2: Be honest with them. Don’t wait to discuss an issue. Raise anything as soon as possible. Face to face if you can.

3: Prepare for parents evening. What progress? What next? How to help at home (pack of bits really supports this) and how they are socially. The whole child.

4: Parents evening #2: schedule longer conversations for a different night. A long queue of missed times will not make for happy meetings.

5: Accentuate the positive- try to ring some parents weekly just to flag up GREAT days/attitudes. Sending work home with a note also works well.

Phone Calls to Parents by @perkins254

Name: Michelle Perkins
Twitter name: @perkins254
Sector: Secondary
Subject taught (if applicable): English
Position: classroom teacher
What is your advice about? Phone calls to parents regarding behaviour

1: Always start your conversation in a positive way – even if it really hurts!
E.g. ‘Xxxx is usually quite cooperative/focused/attentive, however…’

2: Link your concern to progress: a parent will never argue that they don’t want their child to do well.

3: Never compare the child you are talking about to another in the class: ‘if Xxxx behaved more like Xxxx…’ Remember parents talk to each other!

4: If a parent suggests that their child is mimicking another, tell the parent that you are trying to encourage their child to think for themselves!

5: Always end on a positive, with an offer to follow up in 2/3 weeks. This shows commitment to child’s progress and parents will respond positively.

Working With Parents by @headteacher01

Name: Glyn Bishop
Twitter name: @headteacher01
Sector: Primary
Subject taught (if applicable): All subjects
Position: Headteacher
What is your advice about? Working with parents

1: Welcome parents into your classroom. You need to engage with them so easier to get them to come to you.

2: Start a conversation. They will want to have a relationship with you because you are an important part of their life at home.

3: Take every opportunity to share good news. It is so much easier to share bad news if you have previously given some great news.

4: Listen to any parental concerns. It may be difficult to hear but if you can show you listen and act on a concern you will build a reputation of being fair and approachable.

5: Find ways to keep parents informed. Giving parents an idea of what you are learning and questions to ask at home helps reinforce all of your hard work in the classroom.

Contacting Parents by @janbaker97

Name: Jan Baker
Twitter: @janbaker97
Sector:  Secondary
Subject: MFL
Position: Curriculum Leader
5 Bits of Advice About: Contacting parents

1. Make sure you end each day with at least two positive phone calls home if you have to ring about children who have not met expectations. Do this just before you leave.
2. Always make sure that you tell them you are either going to a meeting, on your way to a lesson or just on your way out to cut down on time spent on the phone to parents.
3. Try and text or email home with positive comments each week. Parents love this and it’s good for keeping the students who cause you no trouble and work willingly on side.
4. Don’t offer to pick up any other issues mentioned by the parent unless you genuinely have time to sort them out. Refer them instead to the appropriate person.
5. Always start difficult conversations with “I’m a bit concerned about…” this way the parent will be more likely to be on side and willing to discuss any issues.