Four Pillars of Parental Engagement

In this groundbreaking book, Justin Robbins and Karen Dempster offer a unique approach to the holy grail of parental engagement for the 21st century. Rather than setting it as a separate activity, they consider parental engagement as a planned, sustained and integral part of the whole-school approach: an approach which starts with the school vision and positions parents and schools equally as fundamental to student learning.
The authors describe the challenges of successful parental engagement encompassing both traditional approaches and the use of technology and examine these challenges through their four pillars model of knowledge, environment, culture and communication. They recognise that before any school can expect parental engagement as a 'given', there must be knowledge of the what, why, when, where and how concerning effective interaction and in this book they cover all bases, providing a toolkit of tried-and-tested approaches and strategies to choose from.
After all, the evidence shows that when families engage with the school's vision and provision, it is the children that ultimately benefit.
;
Shares practical solutions relating to school parent engagement and communication based on insights gathered from some of the hardest-to-reach parents.
;
As we know, parental support is a crucial ingredient in both academic and social success, especially for our most vulnerable students. In The Four Pillars of Parental Engagement Justin Robbins and Karen Dempster set out ways in which schools can build relationships with parents and carers and create a culture of mutual collaboration in order to support all our learners to succeed.The four pillars at the centre of the text are rooted in extensive research and evidence as to what is effective in engaging parents. They also provide tools for schools to reflect on in their context in order to be able to work towards building a culture of mutual respect, support and collaboration. This book is essential reading for those who want to build on the opportunities meaningful relationships with parents can bring for all.
Zoe Enser
;
While we're aware that when home and school work as a team around the child, outcomes are improved - it can nevertheless be hard to know where to start. With their four pillars of parental engagement, the authors give us a framework to scaffold our thinking. They go on to walk us through how to develop and implement a plan, and provide a wide range of case studies and top tips to support its implementation. The Four Pillars of Parental Engagement is the perfect mix of theory and practice. If you've got parental engagement listed on your school improvement plan, this book will be a blessing.
Dr Pooky Knightsmith
;
Drawing on the voices of parents, pupils and education professionals, this carefully researched book makes a significant contribution to the field of parental engagement. Framing their insights through the four pillars of knowledge, environment, culture and communication, the authors provide a purposeful and practical way for schools to strengthen this aspect of their work. Highly recommended.
Mary Myatt
;
There will be few teachers and school leaders who do not know the difference that parental engagement makes to both the school environment and the pupils themselves, but how to create a culture of parental engagement has often been shrouded in mystery and left up to luck. In The Four Pillars of Parental Engagement, Justin Robbins and Karen Dempster draw upon their own original research and the existing literature to demystify the parental engagement process. They give the reader clear actionable steps as well as an understanding of why these steps matter. I have no doubt that this book will be invaluable to any school seeking the next piece of the school improvement puzzle.
Mark Enser
;
Parental engagement has to be one of the key drivers of success for any school and