Schools to work with Parent Engagement Toolkit

Feb. 3, 2010 - PRLog -- “Parents and the home environment are the most important factor in shaping their children’s well-being, achievement and prospects.”

The introduction of the new Ofsted framework has brought the relationship between parents/carers and schools into even sharper focus. Advice and guidance is available to schools to support them in developing their approach to working with parents, but ahead of the field is the Leading Parent Partnership Award (LPPA). The toolkit to achieve this is being launched in Birmingham on Thursday 5th of November.  Children from the pilot schools, in Handsworth, leading educationalists, parents, teachers and representatives from Birmingham City Council, who are working in partnership on the new programme with Prospects, will be attending for this, the national launch.

Developed by Prospects, one of the UK's leading providers of services for the education and skills sector, the Leading Parent Partnership Award (LPPA) programme is recognised by Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) as the quality standard that aims to strengthen and enhance the relationship between parents, children and schools. Leading parental involvement specialist, Professor Charles Desforges states that: “At the age of seven parental influences on learning is six times that of the school. At the age of eleven or twelve parental influence on learning is 30 per cent greater than that of the school. After the age of twelve, children – as they grow and mature – become their own greatest influence. At no point does the school have the greatest influence.”  Professor Charles Desforges concludes that “it is what parents do, not who they are, that matters”.

“The Leading Parent Partnership Award Toolkit: Supporting Excellence in Parent Partnership emphasises that the relationship between schools, parents/carers and families are crucial in a child’s educational achievement. This LPPA project is at the forefront of improving home and school communications and in helping children reach their full potential”, said Prospect’s Managing Director, Vincent McDonnell.
The event will also celebrate Prospects’ partnership with Birmingham City Council, which is introducing the LPPA with a pilot scheme in a cluster of ten schools in Handsworth. The pilot programme may soon be extended across the city.

The Toolkit, a new addition to Prospects’ LPPA programme, guides schools and other educational centres through how to achieve effective parent/carer engagement. The Toolkit includes resources, national best practice and case studies.

LPPA Programme Director Kalpana Patel said: “The Toolkit is one element of our newly-extended LPPA programme. It is a comprehensive package of resources and materials, full of practical ideas and guidance for developing and delivering really effective parent partnership, and supporting schools in meetings new Ofsted requirements”

The event and programme has support from several significant personalities including: former Central News presenter, Llewela Bailey; parental involvement specialist, Professor Charles Desforges; Birmingham City Councillor, Matt Bennett. Prospect’s Managing Director, Vincent Mc Donnell will be attending the launch event together with Children and staff from the pilot Birmingham schools.

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Prospects is one of the United Kingdom's leading providers of education, training and guidance services. We provide a wide range of services to government departments, local authorities, schools and colleges, employers and others.