Improve your communication with School Parents | A conversation with Dr. Kathy Weston

I interview Dr. Kathy Weston about how to build strong parent partnerships to support student achievement. We discuss evidence-based strategies to increase parental engagement, empower families, and cultivate collaborative relationships between parents and schools.

Topics covered include:

- The importance of parent involvement for international school student outcomes

- Practical tips to boost parental self-efficacy and confidence in supporting learning

- Aligning home and school environments through clear communication and vision sharing

- Using research evidence to inform parent engagement initiatives and school programs

- Creating a test-and-learn approach to find what works for your parent community

- Setting the tone and building trust through authentic conversations with families

- Resources for international school leaders to equip staff and parents with the latest knowledge

This episode provides reflection questions and actionable ideas for international school heads, principals, and leadership teams aiming to optimize parent partnerships and increase student success. It’s a useful leadership coaching episode for international school heads and principals

Key Quotes:

"We know from the literature on parental engagement, which is quite established and substantial, that parents are a significant influence over their children's lives. And we need to remember that."

"If we can help boost and develop parental self-efficacy, it's a game changer. So we need to help parents have more confidence in their own skills to support and help their child."

"Ideally, they would understand … the evidence that's very, very strong as a basis for reading. The school would share particular points about the evidence base around particular initiatives. Why are we doing this? How can you help at home?"

"I've never even as a parent thought I'm sending my child into school and I'm hoping they're going to transform them. I think what have I done to support the school? What can I do?"

"we know that it can be quite difficult for academics and researchers to disseminate their work. So we see ourselves as a conduit."

You can learn more about Tooled Up Education on their website: tooledupeducation.com

If you found this episode useful, please share your experience. You can find me online on Twitter, LinkedIN and Instagram: @leaningshane. My website is shaneleaning.com.

Join Shane's Intensive Leadership Programme at educationleaders.co/intensive

Shane Leaning, an organisational coach based in Shanghai, supports school leaders globally. Passionate about empowment, he is the author of the best-selling 'Change Starts Here.' Shane is a leading educational voice in the UK, Asia and around the world.

You can find Shane on LinkedIn and Bluesky. or shaneleaning.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.