Parent-led programmes to foster school success

Whether school-based (parent-teacher meetings, volunteering, etc.) or home-based (helping with homework, cultivating academic aspirations, etc.), all these actions have an impact on student attendance, performance and behaviour.

Nevertheless, not all parents have the capacity to engage in their children’s learning process to the same degree. Therefore, teaming up with other parents can be a great way to support student learning.

Parent-driven mentoring

A group of parents in Budapest, Hungary created Common Thingy together – a parent-led mentoring programme – in their children’s primary school. It aims to develop skills and competences related to collaboration, flexibility and critical thinking, and to facilitate open communication and problem-solving through group work activities. Working in small groups and with the support of a parent mentor, children focus on an area of interest that is not covered by the curriculum such as cooking, gardening or arts and crafts.

Overall, the project enhances parent-teacher collaboration and gives parents with low levels of education the opportunity to become role models for their children in their school lives.

Families tackling early-school leaving

Reading comprehension is essential to understand the world around us and to develop skills like critical thinking. Alarmed by a high number of grade repetitions, the federation of parent associations in Santa Lucía de Tirajana (Gran Canaria) launched a programme on pupils’ reading comprehension to fight against school dropouts. The successful programme was implemented in 32 schools involving the local community closely. It included training for teachers and parents, the collection and creation of resources, and activities like embedding reading in everyday tasks at home.

Feeling inspired by these projects?

If you are a parent with an idea of how to enhance your child’s learning, why not team up with other parents and approach your school to take action!