What is a home-school agreement?
A home-school agreement is a statement explaining your child's school's aims and values, its responsibilities towards its pupils, the responsibilities of the pupil's parents, and what the school expects of its pupils. Since being introduced in September 1999 they have become part of the administrative process when a child starts the school.Why were they introduced?
Research has consistently shown that active parental interest makes a great deal of difference to how well children do at school and in life. Creating partnerships with parents will therefore have a positive impact on education standards in general - the child benefits and so does the whole school.Also, parents can help more effectively if they know what the school is trying to achieve and how they can help. Home-school agreements fill that role by providing a framework for the development of such a partnership. The contents of the agreement will clarify what the school is trying to achieve, and the agreement will set out the role of the school, parents and pupils in this vital partnership.
Home-school agreements also recognise the important partnership between parents and educators, and go some way toward inducing a sense of responsibility on the part of the child. This can of course prove very positive in motivating children to achieve their very best.
What do they contain?
Of course agreements vary from school to school, but they must meet certain statutory requirements under the School Standards and Framework Act 1998.Home-school agreements should make a statement about the ‘Standard of education' parents can expect at the school, like the school's commitment to meeting the needs of all children of all abilities and its targets for National Curriculum assessments and exams.
It should also talk about the ‘Ethos of the school' and may do this by demonstrating how its character and spirit is expressed through the attitudes and activities of pupils and staff.
‘Regular and punctual attendance' will also feature in the agreement, which is itself seen as a means by which the school can promote this. The agreement is an opportunity to remind parents that they are legally responsible for ensuring their children receive full-time, suitable education and that this requires regular attendance. The agreement will outline how parents are to notify the school if their child can not attend school, as well as an expectation that parents will work with the school if attendance problems develop.
Much has been said about ‘Discipline and behaviour recently'. Schools now have the power to prosecute pupils or parents who behave violently towards other pupils or members of staff. The home-school agreement will make it clear what is expected of pupils and of their responsibility in this area. It will also state that parental influence is critical in shaping pupil attitude and behaviour.
‘Homework agreements' should set out clearly what is expected of pupils, parents and teachers in relation to this area.
‘Information schools and parents will give to one another' is another area that will be covered. This should outline how and when communication between school and home should or is likely to take place. It should also encourage parents to approach the school if they have any concerns.
All parents have a right to have any complaints properly considered and the agreement should make this process clear by including a ‘General Complaints Procedure'. Governing bodies are required to monitor the complaints procedure and review it annually.
Home-school agreements should not become too detailed or full of jargon so that they become off-putting. Where appropriate, the agreement might refer to a particular policy of the school, for example on special educational needs, and say where further information might be found. The agreement should also be free from discrimination in any form and stereotyped assumptions about particular groups.
What agreements cannot do
Home-school agreements cannot contain terms or conditions which would be unlawful or unreasonable in the strict legal sense, such as refusing to waive any requirement on school uniform in cases where the parent and child cannot comply for religious reasons.Other unacceptable demands might include asking parents to attend an excessive number of parents' evenings or meetings at inconvenient times or to agree to make ‘voluntary' contributions to purchase expensive books or equipment.
The school's governing body must review the agreement from time to time and this may involve consultation with parents.
Parents cannot be taken to court for breaches of the terms of the agreement.
A child must not be excluded from school and nor should the school treat the child or parents in any adverse way because of the parents' failure or refusal to sign a parental declaration.
Schools cannot make parents sign the parental declaration before the child has been admitted to the school or to make the signing of the parental declaration a condition of the child's admission to the school.
If you would like further information on home-school agreements visit dfes.gov.uk/has/
