3. Parental Engagement All parents Everyone can do this well No qualifications needed No cost involved NOT rocket science!

4. Parental Engagement is: Parents taking an interest in your child’s education Parents supporting and encouraging your child’s learning Parents giving a clear message that we value education and want your child to achieve

5. Parental Engagement: Is second only to having a great teacher in determining a child’s educational achievement Can add an extra 3 months’ progress to a child's achievement over a year Is a more important influence on student’s achievement than any other sociological factor including income, ethnicity, social class or parental educational achievement

6. The engagement of fathers has a greater impact than the engagement of mothers (especially on boys) The most effective form of parental engagement is when a parent has regular discussions in the home about what their child does in school Effective parental engagement does not require any teaching by the parents Parental engagement brings positive results for young people of all ages

7. Secondary school – direct contact with teachers not as easy as in Primary school Children less communicative about school Parents can feel less in touch with their child’s education The most important thing is to let your child know that what they do in school is important to you

8. Talk to your child about what they have done in school One or two well-timed questions Focus on the positive - a good or an unusual thing that has happened Ask your child a question that they can’t answer with ‘yes’ or ‘no’ Don’t take ‘nothing’ for an answer!

9. Use our school website and Facebook page to find out what is happening in school. This can be a good way into a conversation

10. HOMEWORK Recorded in planner. Insist on this. Check it regularly Check that your child completes their homework carefully, without rushing it Somewhere quiet, with a flat writing surface, for homework to be completed

11. Homework Club after school in the library on Foxland on any week night Some students work in their local library NO television, mobile phone, computer or games machine on If computer being used for homework, make sure it IS being used for homework Not getting (enough) homework or not recording it? Speak to your child’s tutor or House office

13. Helping with what your child is learning Ask your child about their next or current topics Help them research a topic before they start or to deepen their understanding Use opportunities to explore around a topic together – watch a television programme, visit a museum or borrow books from the library

14. Encourage your child to READ as much as possible – anything and everything! Talk to them about what they have read. What if I know nothing about the topic? Be honest! Golden opportunity to help your child. Ask them to explain it to you; let them become the teacher. This helps to reinforce learning.

15. If English is not your first language and you would like help to improve your own spoken and written English We are offering ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) sessions in school Please pick up a leaflet as you leave if you are interested in taking part

16. How will I know my child is making progress? Target levels or for each subject PARENT ENGAGEMENT PORTAL on the Kingsway website regularly, to check your child’s progress Ask how they have done in assessments. Ask if they know what they have to do to improve Talk to us if you have concerns about your child’s progress

17. When will I be sent information and invited into school ? Information on your child’s progress in every subject at the end of each term REVIEW DAYS with the Tutor to discuss their progress in all of their subjects and set targets for future progress Friday 8 th January 2016 and Friday 15 th July 2016 ( this date tbc ) YEAR 7 PARENTS’ EVENING on Thursday 28 th April Individual appointments with all of your child’s subject teachers

18. Any questions or concerns? Don’t wait! Your child’s TUTOR is the key point of contact Write a note in your child’s planner or email them Questions or concerns about specific subject can be emailed to the Head of Department A list of Tutors’ and Heads of Departments’ emails is included in the booklet you will receive as you leave (along with everything covered in this presentation)