The Scottish Government

« Previous | Contents | Next »

Listen

example 3 - bi-lingual reading club

Four primary schools which are part of a Learning Community in an area of Glasgow with a large number of minority ethnic families worked together to set up a Reading Club initiative for parents and children where English is not their first language.

Regular afternoon reading clubs were held for parents and children with interpreters present to translate and support discussion with teachers. Themed storypacks with activities (games, soft toys, puppets) were provided in the families' own language and sessions were held emphasising the value of reading together at home. Other resources available included:

• Dual language books - fiction and non-fiction
• Dual language dictionaries - Urdu, Slovakian, Russian
• Translation and interpreting services

Many parents reported a benefit to their own learning and felt that their English improved. Mothers reported social benefits in meeting with other mothers, and a general improvement in their own relationships with their children.

Staff said that they have developed a greater insight to and understanding of the needs of bilingual learners and parents. They can now enjoy much more positive, supportive relationships with bilingual parents.

example 4 --involving fathers - the Challenge Dad project

The Challenge Dad project in Aberdeen engaged men in learning opportunities that valued their existing skills and experience as a parent and as a foundation for further learning.

A range of activities and events are offered through the project:

• Engagement activities, such as 5-a-side football
• Learning activities, such as joint parent and child events and one-to-one literacy work
• Parenting or social skills.

Challenge Dad activities were weekly or monthly dependent on the availability of the dads. Working dads, for example, prefer activities to happen at the weekend.

Other ideas for involving fathers

Some schools have developed successful programmes for involving fathers that are not based on the traditional models of activity based family learning. Examples include:

• Engagement with individual fathers about specific child's learning and behaviour
• Open House events for fathers, Dads into School days, Dads breakfasts, Dads lunches and 'celebrate Fathers Day' evenings
• Making use of father specific skills to support work in the classroom and also to support children in a mentoring capacity
• Father-support networks and adult learning programmes for fathers as part of an 'extended school' programme.

Activity 2
identifying skills and experience that parents bring to the school

Purpose To conduct a survey at a parents evening to identify: The skills and experience parents have that they could offer to the school The times that best suit parents for involvement with the school

Who will be involved Parent Council members Headteacher School and local authority staff Parents attending Parent evenings

A sample parent survey is provided opposite. Some specific questions could be added. The survey is designed for an 'interviewer' to complete in one-to-one conversation with parents. Parents' evening or other school events might be good times to carry out the survey.

The survey could be extended outside the school to meet parents in places they feel comfortable. Visits to community groups and projects might help parents feel more at ease. Talking to parents at the school gate as they drop off or pick up their children is another option.

Once the survey has been completed the information can be used to help the school and the Parent Council to work out ways to involve parents by asking them to share their skills and experience. Information about times which are good for parents will help with planning activities, events or meetings.

The survey could be repeated at the beginning of the school year to include parents who are new to the school.

Sample parent survey

Anytown School Parent Council

Introduction

Hello. I wonder if you could spare a few minutes. My name is ………………………………… and I'm a member of the Parent Council. One of the things we do as a Parent Council is support the school by involving all parents as far as possible. We know that everyone is busy but it would really help us if you could answer a few questions about your interests and skills and whether you feel you have time to get involved in some way to support your child and all children at the school.

By answering this you are not making any commitment and you don't have to take part but it would really help us to plan activities for parents and children in the future. [If parent refuses, offer them the form to fill in at home and return to school if this is what they would prefer.]

Could you tell me your name and which classes your children are in.

Question 1

Do you think you have any particular interests, experiences or skills that could help the school in any way? May be just two or three things?

Prompt

There may be things that you already do at home, cooking, DIY, sewing or craft activities, gardening, decorating.

There may be skills that you use at work, IT skills, typing, web design, catering.

You may have interests or hobbies, sports activities, or arts and music skills or interests that you could share.

Question 2

We know that all parents are very busy people but we would like to ask if you have any time that you could spare to support the school or support school activities. We are not looking for any major commitment but just to get an idea of what times suit people best.

« Previous | Contents | Next »