| Description | Practical advice for parents on sharing information with their child's school. |
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| ISBN | |
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| Official Print Publication Date | March 2005 |
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| Website Publication Date | March 01, 2005 |
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Listen
Making the difference
Sharing information
Gaelic version
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When schools, parents and carers share information, everyone has a really good understanding of how they can help children to learn. The better the information you receive and the more information you can share with the school, the better you can support your child's learning - and so can the school. It really helps your child to feel confident and happy, and improves their chances of success.
What difference does sharing information make?
You know your child best. Sharing information lets you, your child and the school work together closely as partners in your child's education. It can: - help to make sure that you feel welcome in the school at all times
- ensure that you all have the information you want at the right time, in the right way and with the right kind of detail
- give you clear, useful information on a wide range of the school's work
- make sure you have plenty of opportunities to hear about your child's progress and give your views
- help you to take an active interest in your child's learning and give you practical suggestions about how you can support your child
- encourage you to become more involved and share your skills in the life and work of the school
- make it easier for you and the school to raise concerns quickly and sort them out at an early stage.
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What sort of information might parents share with the school?
Making the school aware of many things you know about your child and what they are doing out of school can be helpful. Teachers will be able to build on your child's wider experiences and skills when they are at school.
What kind of communications help?
Good arrangements for sharing of information can help to overcome the difficulties and challenges some parents face, such as: - lack of time to visit the school, for example, through pressures of work or family
- lack of confidence, perhaps because of the subject, the level of study or memories from their own school days
- explaining their cultural or language differences.
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Schools and parents often find that having a variety of methods for sharing information makes it easier for parents to know what's going on and keep in touch.
If you have views or ideas about the quality of information you receive from your child's school, or if there is anything you are unsure about or don't understand, tell the school. A parents' organisation in your child's school such as the School Board or Parent Teacher Association will also help to promote home-school partnerships. It would be interested to hear your ideas. Schools need feedback from parents so that they know if their communication systems are working well or how they can be improved. You can help them to make their information more parent-friendly.
You can find more information about good home-school partnerships, or any aspect of Scottish education, on Parentzone. www.parentzonescotland.gov.uk
Useful links and contacts
Parentzone -www.parentzonescotland.gov.uk
BBC Parents -www.bbc.co.uk/schools/parents
Parents Online -www.parentsonline.gov.uk
ParentLine Scotland
Tel: 0808 800 2222 www.parentlinescotland.org.uk
One Parent Families Scotland
13 Gayfield Square, Edinburgh EH1 3NX
Tel: 0800 018 5026 www.opfs.org.uk
Parent Network Scotland
Tel: 0131 555 6780 www.parentnetworkscotland.org.uk
Enquire (The Scottish advice service for additional support for learning)
Helpline: 0845 123 23 03
Textphone: 0131 22 22 439 www.enquire.org.uk
This leaflet is the second in a series. It highlights the real difference parents can and do make to their children's learning. Together with local advice you will have on the practical arrangements in your child's school, this series will offer information to help you become better involved in your child's education. Other published leaflets are on Homework and Parents' Evenings. The series also includes material for schools and teachers on these topics.
If you would like to contact us, or suggest topics for future leaflets, please visit www.parentzonescotland.gov.uk . This leaflet will be available in community languages and alternative formats from your child's school and the Parentzone website.
This series is prepared in partnership with the Quality in Education Centre (University of Strathclyde) and Children in Scotland.