Communicating with your school
Navigating the school years means working together with the school.
It’s essential to keep a clear and open line of communication to help your child do well both in and out of class. Maintaining a good relationship with your child’s school is key to their success at school. By talking openly, setting goals together, and supporting your child’s learning journey, you can help them thrive.
Consistent, clear communication is the foundation of a strong partnership with your child's school. Establishing open communication about your child's experiences, progress, and challenges ensures that you and the educators are aligned in supporting their development.
Goal setting
Collaborative goal setting is essential. These goals, whether academic, social, or personal, should be established jointly by you, the school staff and your child, where possible. This ensures a shared commitment to your child's growth and a clear path forward.
Building relationships with key staff
Creating connections beyond your child's immediate teachers can improve the support network within the school. Engage with Support Learning Officers, administrative staff, and other key personnel who play a role in your child's education.
Understanding your child's learning journey
Understanding how your child processes and engages with information is a collaborative effort between you and their teachers. It requires recognising how they learn in different environments and adapting methods as they develop and their requirements change.
Recognising achievements is just as important as promptly and openly addressing any issues. This balanced approach ensures that the educational journey is both rewarding and constructive.
To disclose or not?
Many parents worry about sharing their child's diagnosis with the school, particularly if the diagnosis comes later on. They fear their child might be labelled or treated differently.
However, these worries are often not necessary. Most schools are experienced in supporting a diverse range of students with various learning preferences and needs. It's likely the school may already be aware of or suspect a neurodevelopmental issue, so sharing the diagnosis might simply confirm their observations.
Allowing the school and your child's teachers to understand your child's learning style can help identify any difficulties and determine the right support they may need. If you still have concerns about disclosing the diagnosis, consider telling the essential staff at the school. Nowadays, it's common for students in mainstream schools to have classmates with various needs, and having a supportive and inclusive environment typically benefits everyone involved.
Effective communication strategies
Schools typically offer various means of communication, from emails or school apps to traditional notes. It's important to utilise these channels while also establishing a direct line of communication for discussions specifically about your child's needs.
Proactive engagement is also important. Schedule meetings early, especially during transition periods such as starting school or moving to a new year. This proactive approach allows you to establish expectations and discuss how best to support your child's transition.
Navigating challenges and celebrating successes
Facing challenges is a natural part of the educational journey. Addressing concerns calmly and constructively with the school can help resolve issues efficiently and maintain a positive relationship.
Understand your rights and the complaint processes. Familiarising yourself with your state's educational rights and complaint processes ensures you are prepared to advocate effectively for your child's needs.
The school that best meets your child's needs may change over time. Being open to adjusting your child's learning environment as they grow and their needs evolve is key to ensuring their ongoing development and success.
Continuous and regular communication is essential. It is very important to communicate regularly with your child's educators about their progress and any concerns. This ongoing dialogue supports a productive and positive educational experience for your child.
Concerns and complaints
When it comes to your child’s education, parents and schools need to work together to do what's best for every child. It's important for parents to know how to bring up any issues they have with the school in a constructive way.
It's helpful to know the difference between raising a concern and making a complaint. Think of raising a concern as the first step, where you work together with the school to find a solution. It's all about looking for ways to improve things, whether it's something specific to your child or something that might affect others too. This could be anything from a particular event, how your child's program is run, how the school does things, or how a staff member behaves. On the other hand, making a complaint is something you'd do if you're not happy with how your initial concerns were handled, and it's a bit more formal.
How to raise a concern effectively
Achieving a successful outcome often starts with understanding and following the school’s established procedures for raising concerns. This approach not only facilitates a more straightforward resolution process but also lays a solid foundation should you need to escalate the issue.
Planning your approach
- Gather facts: Start by collecting all relevant information to define the nature of your concern clearly. This preparation is critical whether the issue relates to a specific event, your child’s educational program, school policies, or staff behaviour.
- Decide on communication method: Consider the most effective way to raise your concern, which could be in person, via email, or a phone call.
- Focus on outcomes: Think about what you wish to achieve. It could range from seeking acknowledgment of the issue, a policy change, to staff training.
- Identify the right contact: Address your concern to the person most capable of resolving the issue. This might be the teacher for classroom-related issues or the principal for broader school concerns.
- Use support: Remember, you have the right to bring an advocate or support person to any meeting and request an interpreter if necessary.
Tips for a constructive conversation
- Communicate clearly: Aim for respectful and clear communication. Approaching the conversation with a collaborative mindset often leads to a more positive response.
- Involve your child: Your child can provide invaluable insights into the concern, so consider their perspective and include it in your discussion.
- Get support: If you struggle to articulate your concerns, seek support from friends, family, or professional advocates.
- Plan your message: Write down your goals and key points. Organise your thoughts to ensure the most critical issues are discussed.
- Understand rights and supports: A thorough understanding of your child’s rights and available supports can significantly enhance the conversation.
- Set realistic goals: Define what you aim to achieve by raising the concern. Having a clear goal can guide the discussion towards a constructive outcome.
- Ask questions: If there’s anything unclear, ask questions. This demonstrates respect for others’ viewpoints and a willingness to find a mutual resolution.
- Offer positive feedback: Recognising and acknowledging what works well can open the door to more receptive discussions about changes.
- Seek expert advice: If standard strategies don’t achieve the desired outcomes, expert advice from therapists or specialists can offer new insights and approaches.
Raising concerns can be a daunting process, but it's a vital part of advocating for your child's education and wellbeing. While it can be challenging, it's also empowering. By effectively voicing concerns, you play a crucial role in ensuring your child's educational environment is as supportive and effective as possible. Remember, your input and engagement are invaluable to the school, contributing to a collaborative effort aimed at creating an inclusive learning experience for all students.