Building a sense of belonging in parents creates a stronger connection between them and the school community. When parents feel included and valued, they are more likely to actively support their child’s education and wellbeing.

This partnership in turn creates a positive environment for students, where both parents and educators work together to address challenges and celebrate achievements.

Visit The Belonging Audit to view a survey designed to capture the sense of belonging in your parent community.

Building Relationships Between Children and their Parents/ Guardians

Parent support is significantly related to a sense of school belonging, and a meta analysis by Allen et al. (2018) found parent support to be more influential than peer support.

Parent support includes providing academic and social support, open communication, and expressions of care and compassion. Supportive parents can provide a sense of safety and acceptance for adolescents, even as the parent-child relationship evolves during this developmental stage.

To foster school belonging, schools may benefit from involving parents by providing information sessions, ensuring effective communication between school and home, and helping parents develop positive parent-child relationships and communication skills.

Schools can also provide resources and support to parents in navigating their relationships with their children and encourage them to value education. While peers are influential, the type of relationships that students have with their peers is important, and positive parent support is a key element of school belonging.

Allen, K.-A., Kern, M., Vella-Brodrick, D., Hattie, J., & Waters, L. (2018). What schools need to know about fostering school belonging: A meta-analysis. Educational Psychology Review, 30, 1–34. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10648-016-9389-8.

Foundations

Parent Performances in Assembly

Having parents take part in whole school assemblies is a great way to celebrate culture and bring the school community together, especially when linked to cultural celebrations to make it more meaningful.

International Day/ Week

International Week or International Day is one of the most powerful ways international schools celebrate their diverse communities, and parent involvement is key to making it meaningful. When parents are invited to share their culture, food, stories, or traditions, these events shift from being school-led celebrations to true community-led moments of belonging. If you're looking to strengthen inclusivity within your parent community, head over to our dedicated section on International Week.

Community Picnic

A community picnic is a fantastic way to strengthen the bond between parents, students, and the school. By bringing families onto campus in a relaxed and fun atmosphere, it encourages connections.

Events like these also highlight the talents of our students, with performances from student bands.

The picnic also can serve a meaningful purpose by raising funds for charity, reinforcing the values of community responsibility.

Pink Day Charity Walk

Our annual Pink Day charity walk is a chance for the whole school community to come together in support of cancer awareness and research.

Parents, students, and staff walk side by side, dressed in pink, raising funds for a meaningful cause while showing solidarity with those affected by cancer.

Coffee Mornings

Coffee Mornings are informal sessions where parents can meet school staff, ask questions, and learn more about the school’s activities and initiatives.

Click the link to find out a little more.

Parent Cookbook

Invite parents to contribute family recipes, creating a cookbook that showcases the school's cultural diversity.

Watch this Space

This site is still launching! Got an idea that’s out of this world? Beam it over via the form above!

Keep an eye on this

Things are still taking shape here! Spotted something brilliant? Blink twice and send me your ideas!

The Language Barrier

HeyGen

HeyGen is an AI-powered video tool that allows schools to create personalised videos where AI avatars speak in the mother tongue of parents.

Simply type or upload a script, select a language, and HeyGen will generate a natural-sounding video with synced lip movements, making communication more engaging and accessible.

Translate Priority Communications

Connecting with parents through clear and accessible communication is essential for creating an inclusive and supportive school community.

Schools should ensure that key documents, such as registration information, school calendars, permission slips, and disciplinary forms, are translated into the primary languages spoken by families.

While full translation of all materials may not always be feasible, prioritising critical documents helps parents stay informed and engaged in their child's education.

The case for Educational Interpreters

Using professional interpreters for parent interactions is vital for clear and accurate communication.

Unlike bilingual staff or students, trained interpreters ensure precise translation of complex educational information while maintaining confidentiality.

While this will not be possible for every conversation, prioritising their use for key meetings, such as special education plans, disciplinary hearings, and parent-teacher conferences, helps strengthen parental involvement.

Engaging with Non-English-Speaking Parents

This insightful blog article from Learning Ladders is packed with practical ideas.

The 'Change The Way You Communicate' section, in particular, made me reflect on my approach to parent meetings—especially as someone who speaks quickly and tends to mumble!

Page updated

Google Sites

Report abuse