Building parental engagement

It can be challenging as a leader to know the best ways to engage parents in your school community to “give young people, whatever their background and wherever they come from, the best possible start in life’’ (Education Endowment Foundation [EEF], 2018, p. 4). Parental engagement is distinct from parental involvement as it encompasses children’s learning at home, at school and in the community, while parental involvement is focussed on parents attending events or volunteering (Department of Education and Training, 2019). Within this article, parents are defined as parents and carers, including grandparents and older siblings when they have significant responsibilities for children.