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Connect with parents and communicate with confidence
Contents
- Managing complaints from parents
- Consulting parents on school-taught subject matters and activities
- Building communications with parents
Managing complaints from parents
84% of school leaders are distracted by complaints from parents about their school's approach.* Our resources and model policies will help you handle complaints both online and at the school gates. (*Source: The Key, member poll, October 2019)
Use our 'internet acceptable use' agreement for parents to help prevent inappropriate social media use. Learn how to deal with defamatory, negative or inappropriate social media use by parents, and use our template letters to respond to incidents.
How can we deal with persistent and aggressive complaints from parents? We relay advice on resolving complaints informally, as well as how to handle persistent complaints and deal with parents who act aggressively. You will find guidance on when to decide to stop responding to a complainant.
Is there guidance on complaints procedures for academies? This article sets out requirements and good practice guidance on academy complaints procedures. You will find information about the required stages of complaints procedures, action after a panel hearing, and record-keeping.
Get to grips with the DfE's best practice advice on managing school complaints, and learn what to consider as you develop your complaints procedures.
Consulting parents on school subject matters and activities
How do you consult with parents about changes to your RSE policy? What about a parent’s request to withdraw pupils from subjects on religious grounds? We have up-to-the-minute advice on handling these sensitive situations.
Requirements for RSE are changing from September 2020. If you're updating your curriculum or policy, you need to start the consultation process now. Use our templates and resources to help you consult with parents, pupils and staff.
How do we handle parents' requests to withdraw pupils from curriculum subjects on religious grounds? This article relays advice from the DfE, one of our associate education experts and other sources on requests to withdraw pupils from subjects and accommodating pupils’ needs.
Find out how to include pupils from all religious backgrounds, whichever holidays or festivals you're celebrating. Our tips will help you be respectful of other traditions and avoid conflict with parents, as well as manage opposition if it arises.
Opening-up communication with parents
Effective communication is essential to building the parent-teacher relationship. We provide tried and tested advice for establishing positive lines of communication - both written and face-to-face.
Everything you need to create your survey – a statement bank covering a range of topics, a survey template and a letter to parents. Plus, examples from schools.
Is there advice on termly meetings with parents of pupils on SEN support? We set out requirements for meeting with parents of pupils with SEN and relay expert advice on managing, organising and running meetings. You will also find a downloadable template to use as a record during these meetings.
What can we do if a parent refuses to be contacted? We look at the requirement for schools to hold parents' contact details, and relay advice on what a school can do if a parent refuses to provide them. We also relay advice on what to do if a parent refuses to engage with the school at all.
Is there guidance for schools on written communication with parents? We relay guidance on communicating with parents, and look at when information needs to be put into writing. You will also find advice on paperless communication, and examples of school policies covering communication.
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