Effective Parent-Teacher Communication

Strong communication between teachers and parents is key to student success. Effective parent-teacher communication helps create a partnership that supports the child’s learning and development, strengthens trust, and fosters a collaborative environment where both school and home work together for the benefit of the student. For both primary and secondary school teachers, keeping parents informed and involved is vital to ensuring students are engaged, supported, and thriving academically.

Here are some best practices for building and maintaining effective parent-teacher communication.

1. Establish Clear Communication Channels

From the outset, it’s important to let parents know how and when they can communicate with you. Establishing clear channels of communication ensures that both parents and teachers are on the same page and that there is no confusion about how to reach out.

• Primary Schools: Share your preferred methods of communication early in the term, whether it’s email, phone calls, or communication platforms like ClassDojo or Seesaw. Encourage parents to use these tools for regular updates and feedback.
• Secondary Schools: With older students, it’s crucial to maintain open communication while respecting students' growing independence. Email is often the best way to communicate regularly with parents, but ensure there’s flexibility for phone calls or in-person meetings when necessary.

Tip: Make it clear when you are available to respond to queries, so parents know what to expect in terms of reply times and avoid frustration from delays.

2. Schedule Regular Updates

Proactive communication is always more effective than waiting for issues to arise. Scheduling regular updates, even when everything is going well, helps build a solid relationship with parents and ensures they’re kept in the loop.

• Primary Schools: Consider sending weekly or bi-weekly newsletters outlining class activities, learning objectives, and upcoming events. Regular updates on their child’s progress help parents stay engaged with what’s happening in the classroom.
• Secondary Schools: Monthly updates, either through email or school platforms like ParentMail or Edmodo, can keep parents informed about academic progress, behaviour, and important dates.

Tip: Personalise communication when possible by including specific feedback about the student, whether it’s recognising achievements or areas for improvement.

3. Use Positive Language

While it’s necessary to communicate concerns, focusing on the positive aspects of a student’s progress or behaviour can go a long way in building trust and collaboration with parents.

• Primary Schools: Highlight a child’s strengths before addressing any areas of concern. For instance, start a conversation with something positive, like how well they’re engaging with their reading, before discussing any challenges in maths or behaviour.
• Secondary Schools: When discussing academic or behavioural issues, always include suggestions for improvement or a plan of action. This demonstrates that the focus is on supporting the student rather than simply pointing out problems.

Tip: A “compliment sandwich” approach—starting and ending with positive feedback—helps maintain a balanced and constructive tone in difficult conversations.

4. Involve Parents in the Learning Process

Encouraging parents to get actively involved in their child’s learning journey can significantly enhance student outcomes. When parents understand how they can support learning at home, they’re more likely to engage with school efforts.

• Primary Schools: Share resources such as reading lists, online learning games, or tips for helping with homework. Consider organising parent workshops or information sessions on how they can assist with phonics, numeracy, or writing skills at home.
• Secondary Schools: For older students, provide guidance on how parents can help with study skills, exam preparation, or time management. Encourage parents to support their child in setting academic goals and reviewing progress.

Tip: During parent-teacher meetings, offer practical suggestions on what parents can do at home to reinforce the learning taking place in school.

5. Be Culturally Sensitive

In today’s diverse classrooms, it’s essential to communicate in a way that respects the cultural backgrounds of students and their families. Understanding cultural differences can help avoid misunderstandings and ensure that communication is effective.

• Primary Schools: Be mindful of language barriers and offer translated materials or interpreters for parents who may not be fluent in English. Encourage parents to share their cultural traditions, which can help build a stronger connection between home and school.
• Secondary Schools: Respect different cultural perspectives on education and be flexible in communication styles. Some parents may prefer more formal communication, while others are comfortable with informal discussions.

Tip: Recognising and celebrating cultural diversity in your classroom can make parents feel more included and respected, fostering a positive relationship.

6. Hold Regular Parent-Teacher Meetings

Face-to-face meetings are one of the most effective ways to communicate with parents. Regular parent-teacher meetings provide the opportunity to discuss student progress in depth and address any concerns that may have arisen.

• Primary Schools: Schedule termly meetings to review academic progress and behaviour, offering both praise and constructive feedback. Provide parents with tangible examples of their child’s work to illustrate areas of success and growth.
• Secondary Schools: Use meetings to discuss specific academic targets, subject choices, and plans for the future, especially as students approach important transitions like GCSEs or A-Levels.

Tip: Allow time for parents to ask questions and raise any concerns they might have. A two-way dialogue helps to build a collaborative partnership.

7. Encourage Parent Involvement in School Events

Getting parents involved in school events can strengthen their connection to the school community and foster better relationships between teachers and families.

• Primary Schools: Invite parents to participate in special events like reading mornings, school plays, or classroom celebrations. Engaging them in these activities helps build a sense of community and shared responsibility for their child’s success.
• Secondary Schools: Encourage parents to attend open evenings, parent workshops, or school concerts. Involving them in extracurricular activities can also help reinforce the importance of a balanced education, not just focused on academics.

Tip: Send reminders through school communication platforms or social media to encourage maximum parent participation in events.

8. Respond Promptly to Concerns

When parents raise concerns, whether it’s about academic progress, behaviour, or school policies, addressing them promptly shows that you value their input and are committed to resolving any issues.

• Primary and Secondary Schools: Responding within a reasonable time frame—even if it’s to acknowledge the concern and say that you’re looking into it—helps to maintain trust and open communication. Follow up with parents once the issue has been addressed or progress has been made.

Tip: Always maintain a professional tone, even in difficult conversations. Demonstrating empathy and understanding can defuse potential tension.

9. Make Use of Technology

Technology has made parent-teacher communication more efficient and accessible. There are now various platforms that facilitate seamless communication between schools and parents.

• Primary Schools: Platforms like Tapestry, ClassDojo, or Seesaw allow teachers to share student updates, photos, and messages with parents in real-time, offering a window into the classroom.
• Secondary Schools: Use apps like ParentMail, Show My Homework, or Google Classroom to share grades, homework assignments, and progress reports. This keeps parents up-to-date with their child’s academic performance and deadlines.

Tip: Encourage parents to engage with the platforms by providing simple instructions and highlighting the benefits of staying connected.

10. Maintain Confidentiality and Professionalism

While it’s important to keep parents informed, maintaining student confidentiality and upholding professional boundaries is key to building trust in the parent-teacher relationship.

• Primary and Secondary Schools: Be mindful of the information you share with parents and ensure that sensitive discussions take place in private. Always remain professional in all forms of communication, whether in person, via email, or through school platforms.

Tip: If a difficult or sensitive issue arises, consider involving a senior member of staff or safeguarding officer to support the conversation.

Conclusion

Effective parent-teacher communication is a cornerstone of student success. By establishing clear communication channels, maintaining regular updates, involving parents in the learning process, and respecting cultural differences, teachers can build strong partnerships with parents. This collaborative approach ensures that students receive the support they need both in the classroom and at home, leading to a more positive and productive learning experience.

What strategies do you use for keeping parents informed and involved?