| The level of success our children can attain depends | | | | They work in collaboration with the head teacher to |
| primarily on us as parents. To be able to give children | | | | decide school policies, management of the school, |
| the support they need, parents must equip themselves | | | | dealing with education performance and ways to |
| with the right tools and information for children to be | | | | develop and enhance the school's education output |
| able to achieve successful lives. | | | | and social relevance. |
| Do not despair if your child did not get into your first | | | | A lot of parents assume that only professionals can |
| choice school, there are ways in which you can help | | | | be a school governor - though certain skills will help, all |
| your child achieve good education grounding in the | | | | new school governors are provided with appropriate |
| school they attend. You can turn the admission around | | | | training. The main criterion is to be willing to make a |
| by working in partnership with the school to create the | | | | positive impact in the lives of the children in the school. |
| right atmosphere and education standard for your child. | | | | So the next time you want to criticise a school policy, |
| As parents, we need to be actively involved in our | | | | rather ask yourself how you can improve the situation. |
| children's education, irrespectively of the school they | | | | Regular Volunteers |
| attend be it independent, state or faith school. | | | | Another way you can partner with your child's school |
| Research shows that schools are successful when | | | | is to volunteer your time on a regular basis. Some |
| there is the active involvement of parents to get the | | | | school welcome volunteers to assist in the class, it |
| best out of every child. | | | | might be for reading sessions, arts and crafts or a |
| Awareness | | | | simple sing-a-long session. Volunteering in your child's |
| Parents need to be aware of how the UK education | | | | school has many benefits; it also boosts your child's |
| system works, how schools operates, their policies and | | | | morale when you take an interest in their work. |
| what principles govern their academic structure. Your | | | | You may also offer your time to accompany the class |
| understanding of the school system will help in | | | | on school outings; this is a great way of observing |
| providing the necessary support for your child to | | | | your child's behaviour in an external environment and |
| achieve education excellence. | | | | how he or she relates with others. If you have |
| Be aware of what your child is learning in school, | | | | technical skills, you may help with updating the school's |
| teachers make considerable effort by providing regular | | | | website or other duties required within the school. You |
| updates of lesson plans, learning objective and | | | | can also volunteer to make costumes for the school |
| expected outcome. Parent/Teacher evening is also | | | | play etc. |
| another forum organised by schools to keep parents | | | | Parents Teachers Associations |
| up to date on their child's performance. Parents should | | | | PTAs are an integral part of schools in the UK, their |
| make it a matter of duty to attend these sessions as | | | | main objective being to foster a good relationship |
| they provide valuable insight into your child's learning | | | | between the school, parents and community. Many |
| experience. Ask questions about your child's progress | | | | parents volunteer to promote the activities of the PTA |
| in school, make notes of where additional support is | | | | within the school. PTA organise sports club, drama |
| required and work towards higher academic | | | | classes, fundraising and other social events. They also |
| achievement. | | | | provide a forum to discuss education concerns in |
| Partnership | | | | some schools. It is worth getting involved with the PTA |
| Every parent should strive to develop a relationship | | | | even if you cannot afford regular input, the team will |
| with their children's school, support their work and do | | | | surely appreciate whatever input parents can provide. |
| not be a constant critic. It is important that parents | | | | Novel Ideas |
| demonstrate support for school policies and strategies | | | | There are always innovative ways in which you can |
| used to develop the child's education. | | | | get involved in your child's school. You can also make |
| There are several ways you may get involved in your | | | | suggestions for new ideas to be taken on board and |
| child's school, these include: | | | | implemented in the school. |
| Parent Governor | | | | Whatever opportunities the school provides - make |
| A parent governor is a very important role in the | | | | sure you do not sit on the fence and be a critic. |
| school. It is part of the school's governing body which is | | | | Always remember that your contribution is vital to your |
| responsible for the school's aims, values and ethos. | | | | child's development and achievement in school. |