“I feel by being kept up to date I have a better understanding of what my daughter is doing at school so feel I can help out a bit more than I used to. It’s also nice being able to do stuff together.” Parent, Monkseaton High School in Tyne and Wear
Many schools across the country are already improving their partnerships with parents by using technology and the internet to make information available online for parents to access. This enables parents to:
- keep track of children’s work, curriculum and homework assignments
- view their reports, attendance records and grades at any time of day that suits them
- keep in regular touch with schools and other staff
- continue to communicate with the school about school life and ways they can help their child learn
Online reporting helps parents and teachers share knowledge on a child’s progress, improving communication and helping to easily identify any issues and share successes. Far from replacing face-to-face conversations, online reporting complements and enhances the quality of discussions by giving timely and meaningful information to parents.
To find out about how online reporting can help you, visit www.nextgenerationlearning.org.uk/parentsaspartners.
Did you know?
All schools are expected to use technology to improve parental engagement with parents. By September 2010, all secondary schools – and by 2012, all primary schools – are expected to offer parents secure online access to information about their child’s learning.
We asked parents what sorts of technology they thought might help them communicate more effectively – and easily – with their child’s school:.
We also asked teachers what sorts of technologies their schools were already employing to help improve communications channels between themselves and parents.
Technology matters
Our research indicates parents view technology as a really useful tool to help them communicate better with their child’s teacher.
Many (49%) parents said technology was a huge help, making it easier for them to get involved in their child’s education, keep updated and help to support their child’s school and teachers. In addition, a further 40% say they think technology could help in some ways; however, they don’t fully understand the ways they can use it.
But, despite all schools having electronic communication tools, 46% of parents say their child’s school doesn’t communicate with them electronically at all at present, suggesting these resources are not being utilised fully