‘The single most important factor influencing a child's intellectual and
social development is the quality of parenting and care they receive.’
Chris Paterson, Parenting Matters: Early Years and Social Mobility, Centre:forum, August 2011

A recent report by independent think tank Centre:forum, investigating the impact on parenting in the early years, states that what parents do for their children is far more influential than who the parents are. Regardless of what background a parent has, they have the ability to raise their children’s educational aspirations through a combination of activities and time spent reading and playing with the children.

There is clear evidence that parental involvement, support and encouragement has a dramatic influence on the school achievements of pupils throughout their school careers. By helping parents to support their children’s learning and development, teachers can enhance a child’s overall capacity to learn.

Parent Partnership for Positive Performance offers practical advice on how to support the learning of children of less advantaged families by developing a positive partnership with parents. Each chapter includes practical Have a Go! sections full of ideas and activities to try with parents and children at home or in school. Each chapter also includes Stop and Think! practical tasks for teachers to help analyse their existing partnerships with parents and how they might be developed.

If parents are to be meaningfully involved in the education of their own children, schools must be highly proactive in providing a framework whereby parents and teachers can work in unison to benefit the child.

This publication includes a CD-ROM with printable case study material, activities and information handouts and is a primary and early secondary resource.