Supporting all families

Key recommendations:

• Make sure parents, carers and staff know how important parental input is and the difference they can make to children's achievement. By being engaged in their child's learning, parents and carers improve their children's life chances.
• Many parents and carers will be anxious about maths, particularly new teaching methods. Make information easily available and clear, in different languages where necessary. Support parents' maths skills by becoming a Challenge Partner.
• Make parental engagement a target for your staff. Everyone has to be on board for it to work.
• Communication is key. Offer clear information and advice, and use technology to reach parents. Let parents know their child's successes as well as any problems, so that they don't associate school contact with bad news.
• Be approachable. 'Listen and share - don't judge and tell' Lynne Gavin, Headteacher, Pakeman Primary