Pocket PAL: Involving Parents in Schools

by Bill Lucas

Overview

Research shows just how critically important parents are to schools. In this practical, introductory guide, Bill Lucas explores the issues surrounding parental involvement, looking at how it can be successfully achieved with outstanding results.

- Understand parents' needs.
- Develop roles that benefit parents and school.
- Relate positively with all parents - even the 'hard-to-reach'.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781855391055
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	12/09/2006
Series:	Pocket PAL
Pages:	96
Product dimensions:	4.02(w) x 7.86(h) x 0.23(d)

About the Author

Bill Lucas is Co-Director of the Centre for Real-World Learning at the University of Winchester, UK. One of the UK’s foremost educators, Bill is Chairman of the UK’s Talent Foundation, a former Chief Executive of the Campaign for Learning, creator of Family Learning Week, and the author of many best-selling books including Happy Families: How to Make One, How to Keep One. Bill appears regularly on TV and radio and is a guest speaker all over the world. Bill is also a very active parent.

Table of Contents

IntroductionChapter 1 - Understanding parents' needsLack of confidenceEducational jargon and gobbledegookAdvance planningComplex familiesFrequently asked questions
Chapter 2 - Getting better at communicatingThe front deskLetters and emailsNewsletters and e-zinesNotice boards and displaysTelephone contactHomework diariesReportsAssessment for Learning (A4L)WebsitesChapter 3 - Making parents welcomeSignage and physical spaceThe reception experienceParent/teacher meetingsDemonstration lessonsFamily daysThe home/school agreementPrimary v secondaryDifferent kinds of parental involvementChapter 4 - Providing practical supportClubsParent workshopsHelping parents to become learning coachesHelping parents create learning homesHelping parents discover classrooms on their doorstepsBehaviour managementHelp with literacyHelp with numeracySchool transitionsGateways to specialist servicesChapter 5 - Developing roles for parentsOccasional helpLunchtimesSchool tripsParent representatives and councilsParents as mentorsTeaching AssistantsPTAParent governorsParents as lifelong learnersChapter 6 - Reaching parents who are turbaned off from schoolsHow people get turbaned off from learningSecond languagesFamily learning outreach activities
Extended schoolingThe school of the future

Further reading