Consulting parents

Since May 2007, schools have had a duty to take account of the views of parents. The consultation process can have an important influence on the relationship between parents and the school. Consultation can also be a key tool in assessing the school’s impact.

‘Consulting’ is not to be confused with ‘contacting’ parents, eg for obtaining consent for a child to participate in a particular activity, or for requesting permission. Consulting parents involves the school seeking their views on an issue, giving them the opportunity to voice their ideas and concerns, and then acting upon the results.

This section provides some guidance on how to consult parents, gather their views and act upon the feedback that you receive. Parent Support includes access for your school to Pearson Publishing’s consulting tool, Evaluate – Parents, and guidance on how to make the most of the tool is provided. For further guidance on using Evaluate – Parents in your school, contact Pearson Publishing by emailing evaluate@pearson.co.uk or calling 01223 350555.