Charities launch guide for schools to ensure mums and dads are informed and interested in their child’s education.
Youngsters who have both parents involved in their education get on better at school according to two national charities.
Children in Scotland and Families Need Fathers Scotland made the claim while issuing a new guide for schools and nurseries on how to encourage all parents to better support their children through their education.
The charities say that children’s wellbeing is improved through the active support of both parents, even when they do not live together, and that more has to be done to support parents not living in the family home.
Helping Children Learn: Involving non-resident parents in their child’s education urges schools to be proactive in building relationships in particular with non-resident parents – who in the majority of cases are fathers.
The charities created the guide after discovering support offered by schools was different across the country.
Regrettably, we still hear regularly from some non-resident parents that they have felt excluded from communication around their child’s education
It advises that studies indicate fathers’ engagement in their children’s learning through reading with them, helping them with homework or taking part in school events can have significant benefits for children in terms of attendance and attainment at school.
It highlights The Scottish Schools (Parental Involvement) Act 2006, which makes it clear that public authorities must be inclusive and support the full participation for the benefit of their children.
Ways schools can do this, the charities suggest, includes developing policies to make sure both parents are routinely informed of parents’ evenings, attendance, exclusion and sports days etc.
Marion Macleod, Children in Scotland policy manager, said: “We know that in general, with some individual exceptions, children benefit for the active support and involvement of both parents. This is particularly true in terms of educational attainment.
“We appreciate that often schools or other education bodies might find it difficult to manage differing parental expectations when families breakdown, but we know that the child benefits immeasurably when clear, transparent and constructive involvement is achieved. This is the best practice we must strive for.”
Ian Maxwell, national manager of Families Need Fathers Scotland added: “It is 10 years now since the Scottish Schools (Parental Involvement) Act urged schools to ‘work hard’ to engage with fathers in general and non-resident fathers in particular and to treat both parents with equal respect.
“Regrettably, we still hear regularly from some non-resident parents that they have felt excluded from communication around their child’s education, or are made to feel they are causing bother by asking for their own copies of newsletters and school reports.
“We hope this guide will help schools and education authorities work towards a more inclusive approach, for the benefit of all involved, our children above all.”
