Feedback from our previous Birmingham cohorts
“We approached a parent helper, at the beginning of the Autumn term, to take part in the Parent Ambassador course because we could see the potential she had to make a difference to the children and parents in our school.
She was very excited to take part in the PSS course, which she found really useful. During this time she did voluntary work in school for 5 hours a week, supporting all parents but especially our non-English speaking parents at workshops, parent’s evening, coffee mornings and with homework. She also made herself available every morning and afternoon in the playground enabling her to network with a range of our parents. At the end of the term we could not afford to lose her so we decided to employ her for the 5 hours a week. She is now supporting the facilitation of Birmingham Adult Education English and Maths courses, in school, as well as all her other roles.
Encouraging her to complete the course and make the role her own is starting to make a real difference in connecting with our hard to reach parents, which in turn can only help their children to thrive. We have also seen her grow in the role with a new found confidence.”
Kate Wildman, Inclusion Leader / Birches Green Infants School
“Having a parent ambassador at our school has helped us build stronger relationships with our families and the local community. Parents have shared that they like having a someone who can bridge the gap between home and school when they are unsure of who to speak to and how to convey a message they may have.”
Deb Harvey, Inclusion Manager / Yardley Primary School
The Training
“The course is excellent; I have learnt so much.”
Paul / Parent Ambassador
“The content is very interesting and helping to improve practice. There is more homework than I thought previously however the tutor is fair and explains it very well.”
Laura / Parent Ambassador
“I really enjoyed this course with other like-minded parents who are all here to try and make a difference in their school.”
Lorraine / Parent Ambassador
Placements in schools
“We have implemented drop-ins every Tuesday and Thursday.”
Paul / Parent Ambassador
“The PA role is still yet undefined in our school. We are working on what areas she will have most impact. Once our new building is completed her role will be paramount in school.”
School-based Mentor
“Examples of the work I have done: introducing myself to school staff at a staff meeting; producing a questionnaire for parents to complete online and supporting parents at drop-in session. I have also signposted parents to websites and local organisations.”
Rachel /Parent Ambassador
Would you recommend this course?
“Yes I would. Already we have introduced our PA to parents and they are keen to pass on concerns and worries to her. She then feeds back in weekly meeting and we try to resolve or communicate a clearer response to the concerns.”
SENCO
In Practice in Wolverhampton
The Parent Ambassador programme has been established at West Park Primary School in Wolverhampton for over 18 months.
“The work of the Parent Ambassadors has grown and grown. It’s working better than I ever could have imagined.”
Briony Jones / Head teacher
The Parent Ambassadors have been integral to shifting our mindset as a school towards improved parental engagement. Their work is now fundamental to our aims and values.
They are flexible with their hours and support the school in so many ways; their role continues to grow and develop, as well as their own knowledge and skills.
We have even developed a person specification and job description to raise their status (these are available on the A2E website).
Now they are established, which didn’t take as long as we thought, I communicate with the Parent Ambassadors through email and informal conversations—we now only meet half termly.
We have trained two Parent Ambassadors who:
- Organise and deliver training to parents including ESOL language and health classes
- Provide weekly drop-in sessions
- Led training for our teachers, who will now signpost our parents to them
- Communicate key messages to parents
- Meet and greet parents at the start and end of the day
- Reduced SLTs workload by leading on events such as our Christmas Fayre
- Lead training for our teachers, who will now signpost parents to our Parent Ambassadors
“None of the concerns I initially had have happened. There are no negatives. Only positives.”