5 Top Tips for Communicating with School
During September, I’ve been exploring communicating with the school in my Facebook community Education Support 4 Parents. My 16 years in schools (you can find out more about me here) showed me that the best results come from schools and parents working together in a co-productive way, to support their children from all angles. The most successful children were not necessarily the smartest or the best in exams – they had parents and teachers who worked as a team.
Here are my top 5 tips for communicating with school:
Don’t leave things until parents’ evening
It can be tempting to think that parents’ evening is the time to talk about concerns or issues, but that 10 minute slot isn’t enough. Secondary schools try to plan parents evenings across the year so that teachers don’t do many close together. Teachers are thinking about many young people that evening, and if you’ve got things to talk about it may be a rush. If it’s near a parents’ evening, contact the teacher in advance and ask if they’d like to chat in advance.
Remember communication goes both ways
We can all be quick to judge. You might moan when they don’t inform you your child isn’t doing her homework. But, have you reached out and asked how your child is doing? What about when you don’t think you’ve been given enough notice about the school trip to arrange the necessaries? Did you tell the school that knowing a week in advance that they need a packed lunch gives you time to get it on your weekly shop, so they don’t make that mistake again? We can be quick to criticise, but what about being quick to praise?
Be persistent but kind
Schools are busy places and teachers work lots of hours. During the school day, they may only have a few moments to make calls or send emails. Things get forgotten, and so they might see your e-mail or get a message and then it gets put to the back of the to-do list.
Be persistent, reminding them that you’d like to speak if they don’t respond within a few days. Be kind to the teacher by telling them that you understand they are busy. However, do emphasise you’d really like to support them and discuss your child.
You’re the expert
Sometimes it feels like schools are always telling you what to do, or that they know your child best because they see lots of children. But, every person is an individual and you have known your child the longest. You see the way they are after a day at school. For neurodiverse children, you are the one who sees behind the mask. If there is a problem at school, find a solution that you know would work for your child, and suggest it. Have faith in your ability to know what’s best.
Arrange a meeting
It can be hard to read tone in written communication. Meetings or phone calls can produce better results, without misunderstandings and misinterpretation.
During the pandemic we have got used to using video calls. Most places are now set up for this perfectly adequate you could ask for a virtual meeting instead. It’s amazing what can be sorted in a 15 minute chat. Send questions in beforehand, so you are both prepared and can get the best out of the meeting.
Good communication isn’t rocket science, but it does make a big difference. Be a role model in good communication for your young person. Help them speak up for themselves, and you will teach them some really good skills, and improve their experience with education.