Pupil Premium: Why Strong Communication with Parents Matters for Primary Schools

Pupil Premium is extra government funding given to state-funded schools in England to support disadvantaged children and narrow the attainment gap between them and their peers.

It was introduced to tackle the stubborn link between family income and education outcomes, and according to the NAO, approximately 27–28% of pupils in England are eligible for Pupil Premium support which is a significant portion of the school population.

The funding (about £1,455 per primary pupil in recent years) is intended to help schools provide targeted support and remove barriers to learning.

Ultimately, the goal is to break the link between a child’s background and their future success.

This is especially crucial in the early years!

Research from the DfE shows that roughly 40% of the achievement gap between disadvantaged 16-year-olds and others is already present by age five.

Primary schools, therefore, play a vital role in closing gaps early before they widen.

Contents

Why Focus on Communication with Parents?

Why Parental Engagement Matters for Pupil Premium Pupils

Common Breakdowns in Communication with Disadvantaged Families

What Strong Communication Looks Like (Tips for Schools)

Using School Events to Boost Parental Engagement

Why Focus on Communication with Parents?

Pupil Premium isn’t just about interventions in the classroom.

Government guidance highlights “communicating with and supporting parents” as one of the important strategies schools can use as part of their Pupil Premium approach.

Engaging parents is a key “wider strategy” alongside good teaching and academic support.

Strong school-parent communication creates a partnership around each child’s learning, which is often the missing piece in helping disadvantaged pupils thrive.

Why Parental Engagement Matters for Pupil Premium Pupils

Multiple studies have found that parental engagement has a powerful impact on children’s learning, in some cases, as much or more than many in-school interventions.

The Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) reports that involving parents in their child’s learning can add +4 months of extra progress over a year on average.

This moderate impact comes at a very low cost, making it a highly cost-effective approach.

Notably, EEF evidence suggests the effect of strong parental engagement outweighs the impact of other common interventions like streaming by ability, mentoring, smaller class sizes, or extending school time.

In fact, some research argues that what parents do at home can have a bigger influence on a child’s achievement than the school itself.

For disadvantaged pupils, the stakes are even higher.

Improved parental engagement is particularly effective for disadvantaged children, who often face extra barriers in their home learning environment.

The EEF stresses that it’s crucial to find ways to engage all parents to avoid widening attainment gaps.

If we fail to involve the families of Pupil Premium pupils, those children may not get the consistent support and encouragement they need outside of school.

By contrast, when parents are on board, children attend more regularly, practice skills at home, and feel more supported, all of which boosts progress.

Ofsted has noted that “parental engagement can be a powerful lever for raising achievement in schools,” with considerable research showing the value of schools and parents working together.

In other words, when schools and families pull in the same direction, children do better.

There’s also evidence that engaging parents helps address wider outcomes tied to Pupil Premium goals, such as attendance and behaviour.

For example, well-designed school communications have been linked not only to higher attainment but also improved attendance rates.

This is critical given that disadvantaged pupils often have higher absence rates (in 2022/23, FSM-eligible pupils had an 11% absence rate vs 6% for non-FSM peers), a gap that regular parent contact and support can help to close.

By building positive relationships with families, schools can tackle issues like poor attendance or low engagement early on.

All of these benefits make parental engagement a high-impact strategy for achieving Pupil Premium objectives.

Common Breakdowns in Communication with Disadvantaged Families

If parental engagement is so important, why is it often difficult to achieve, especially with the families of disadvantaged pupils?

Schools frequently encounter communication breakdowns or barriers that hinder effective parent participation.

Recognising these common issues is the first step to addressing them:

Logistical Barriers

Many disadvantaged parents face practical difficulties in interacting with school.

They may work long or irregular hours (often in multiple jobs or on zero-hour contracts), making it hard to attend parents’ evenings or school events.

Taking time off work might directly reduce a family’s weekly income, which isn’t feasible if budgets are tight.

Single parents or those with limited childcare options may have no one to watch younger siblings during school meetings.

These real-life constraints mean some parents want to be involved but simply can’t be present due to time, work, or childcare challenges.

Socio-Economic Factors

Families in poverty may lack resources that schools take for granted.

For instance, not having a car makes it difficult to attend evening events, especially on dark winter nights or when public transport is limited.

Even receiving school communications can be an issue if the household has limited internet data or no WiFi (so emails or online portals go unseen).

Technology gaps are real, and a family might have one smartphone with a pay-as-you-go plan and no computer, meaning heavy or frequent digital communication from school could be inaccessible.

These factors can leave parents out of the loop.

Language and Educational Barriers

Communication can break down if parents struggle with English or have low literacy.

Some parents (including those for whom English is an additional language) may find school letters and emails hard to understand.

In the UK, about 1 in 6 adults have very poor literacy skills, often concentrated in deprived areas.

If a parent has difficulty reading, then important notices or homework instructions may not be fully understood.

Similarly, schools sometimes drown parents in education jargon assuming everyone knows terms that teachers use daily.

This can unintentionally alienate parents who don’t speak that educational lingo.

This means parents might disengage because they feel talked down to or simply confused.

Psychological and Emotional Barriers

For some parents, especially those who had negative school experiences themselves, walking into a school building triggers anxiety.

They may feel intimidated by teachers or fear being judged as “bad parents.”

Observations show that some parents pace nervously in the reception area before a meeting, much like someone heading into a high-stakes interview.

Past experiences with authorities (e.g. difficult interactions with social services or landlords) can breed distrust of institutions, including schools.

Additionally, if a child is struggling, parents may feel embarrassed or blamed, and thus avoid meetings to escape hearing negative feedback.

All these emotions create a wall that makes genuine communication very hard.

One-Way or Inflexible Communication

Sometimes the breakdown comes from the school’s side without realising it.

Irregular, unclear, or one-way communication leaves parents feeling disconnected.

For example, if a school only reaches out when there’s a problem, parents associate school calls with bad news and become defensive or avoidant.

On the other hand, if the school bombards families with excessive emails or messages, important information can get “lost”.

Finding the right balance is tricky because too little contact and parents feel out of touch, too much and they start to tune out.

That’s why school calendar tools like My School’s Events are great!

They help parents receive the information about events that is relevant to their child, so they’re not overwhelmed with information that isn’t relevant to them.

Another common issue is when communication feels strictly one-way, the school talking at parents, never listening.

Parents who feel their input or voice is ignored may respond by disengaging entirely.

School-Based Barriers

Finally, internal school factors can impede parent partnerships.

Surprisingly, fewer than 10% of teachers have ever had training in parental engagement techniques.

Busy staff may not feel confident or skilled in reaching out to families, especially those from different backgrounds.

Unconscious biases can creep in too, as the majority of UK teachers come from middle-class backgrounds, which may limit their understanding of the daily realities facing low-income families.

If teachers inadvertently project judgment or lack empathy, trust erodes.

Furthermore, schools often communicate with parents only during crises (disciplinary issues, etc.), which means positive interactions are rare.

In such an environment, a culture of parent non-involvement can build up over the years, where only the parents of misbehaving or struggling children are in touch and others stay away.

Without deliberate efforts to be welcoming and inclusive, a school can end up with minimal parental input by default.

Understanding these barriers is important because it reminds us that when parents seem “hard to reach,” there are usually underlying reasons.

The good news is that schools can address many of these issues once they identify them.

The next sections explore what effective communication looks like and how to build better partnerships with parents, especially those of Pupil Premium children who have the most to gain from home-school collaboration.

What Strong Communication Looks Like (Tips for Schools)

Strong communication with parents isn’t about bombarding families with newsletters, it’s about building a trusting, two-way relationship.

What does that look like in practice, especially in a primary school setting?

Below are some key characteristics of effective parent-school communication, along with practical tips:

Personalised and Two-Way

One-size-fits-all messages often fall flat.

Effective communication is tailored to each family’s circumstances.

This could mean translating letters for EAL families, adjusting contact times for working parents, or using the parents’ preferred communication method (text, phone, paper note, etc.).

Research has found that messages linked to the child’s learning and celebrating successes tend to get a better response.

For example, a quick text like “Mia read her first chapter book today, we’re proud of her!” can brighten a parent’s day and reinforce a positive dialogue.

Importantly, always leave room for parents to respond or ask questions.

Make it clear that you value their input.

The EEF notes that consulting parents (asking how they want to be involved or what they need) can increase the effectiveness of home-school partnerships, yet about half of parents say they’ve never been asked for their views by the school.

Strong communication invites parents into a conversation, not a monologue.

Clear, Jargon-Free, and Positive Tone

In primary schools, avoid drowning parents in educational terminology.

Write and speak in plain language that everyone can understand, rather than assuming parents know what terms like “SPaG targets” or “Pupil Premium strategy” mean.

If technical terms are necessary, take a moment to explain them.

Keeping the tone friendly and respectful is key to encouraging engagement.

Even when discussing problems, frame communications in a solution-oriented, non-accusatory way (e.g. “Let’s work together to help Sam improve his attendance” rather than “Sam has a poor attendance record”).

Never blame or stigmatise parents for challenges; instead, empower them as equal partners who can make a difference in their child’s progress.

When parents feel respected and believed in by the school, they are far more likely to respond and engage.

Consistent and Balanced Outreach

Strong communication is regular and proactive, not just reactive when something’s wrong.

Primary schools that excel in parental engagement often implement routines like weekly updates or brief check-in calls, not to overwhelm parents, but to keep them connected.

Even a short, standardised weekly text or email about what the class learned this week can keep parents in the loop.

Alongside group communications, personal outreach is vital for at-risk families.

A quick phone call or a chat at pick-up time to share a positive comment can build trust.

Aim to share good news as much as bad news, if parents only hear from the school when their child misbehaves, they’ll dread any contact.

By contrast, a balance of positives (praise, achievements, improvements) and concerns creates a more open, less defensive relationship.

Over time, this consistency reassures parents that the school is on their side and not just reaching out when something is wrong.

Accessible and Inclusive Channels

Meet parents where they are.

Use communication channels that parents actually use and are comfortable with.

For some, this might be a parent communication app or email, but for others, a paper letter or phone call may work better.

A great automated tool for reminding parents about school events is the My School’s Events platform.

Text messages have also proven effective in many cases, they’re brief, direct, and almost every parent has a mobile phone (texts also don’t require data or internet access)

Ensure that important announcements aren’t exclusively on a platform that some families can’t access.

Offer translations or bilingual support for parents who speak limited English; often, a community language speaker on staff or a translated note can make the difference in reaching a family.

Also, consider alternative meeting formats.

If a parent can’t attend school due to work, could you offer a quick Zoom call, or schedule meetings at more convenient times? S

Showing flexibility demonstrates that the school is committed to including everyone.

Relationship Building

At its heart, strong communication is built on relationships of trust.

Working with parents is like any relationship, you have to invest time and care to make it work.

Encourage teachers (especially class teachers in primary) to get to know parents early in the year.

Simple gestures like greeting parents by name at drop-off, or commenting on something positive about their child set a friendly tone.

If parents see that school staff are approachable and empathetic, they are more likely to reach out when they have a concern (rather than staying silent).

Schools might also designate a parent liaison or pastoral staff member who regularly checks in with families in need, ensuring communication lines stay open.

Remember, trust is built over many small interactions.

Keep your promises. If you say you will follow up on something, make sure you do.

Over time, these actions show parents that “we’re in this together,” which is the foundation of effective partnership.

Feedback and Continuous Improvement

Strong communication isn’t static, and schools should seek feedback and continuously refine their approach.

Consider surveying parents (briefly) on what communication methods work best for them, or how informed they feel.

This could be as simple as a question at the end of a newsletter or a suggestion box at the office.

If something’s not working (e.g., low turnout at parents evening, or parents ignoring a certain type of email), be willing to change it.

In fact, Ofsted recommended that schools evaluate the impact of their work with parents and use that information to improve further.

Making a habit of reviewing your home-school communication strategy, ideally with some parents’ input, will ensure it stays effective and relevant.

By implementing these practices, primary schools can create strong, positive lines of communication with parents.

It’s about creating environments where parents feel welcomed, heard, and equipped to support their children.

Such an environment is especially beneficial for families of Pupil Premium pupils who might not otherwise engage.

Using School Events to Boost Parental Engagement

School events are more than just fun extras on the calendar and they can be powerful opportunities to draw in parents, especially those who might not engage through day-to-day communication.

A well-planned event can break down barriers by making parents feel comfortable on school grounds and showing that their involvement is valued.

Here are a few ways primary schools can leverage events to boost parental engagement:

Workshops and Family Learning Events

Organise informal workshops where parents and children learn together.

For example, a family reading morning where parents are invited to come in and read a story with their child in class, or a maths games night where teachers demonstrate fun ways to practice maths skills at home.

These events send the message that learning isn’t confined to school, and parents have a role too, and the school is there to support them in that role.

They also help demystify the curriculum.

Parents who attend a phonics workshop or a “maths methods” evening can better understand how to help with homework.

Make sure to keep the tone non-judgmental and hands-on, the aim is to empower parents, not test their knowledge.

Even providing simple tip sheets or resources for the home can encourage continued engagement after the event.

Open Classrooms and Showcases

Consider having open classroom days or “learning showcases” where parents can drop in to see what their children are working on.

Primary schools often do this through class assemblies or end-of-term showcases (e.g. an art exhibition of student work, a short performance, or a science fair).

Inviting parents to see their child in action or to celebrate their work helps parents feel connected to the school’s mission.

It’s also a great conversation starter as parents are proud to talk with their children about the artwork on the wall or the poem they wrote.

These positive experiences can replace the old perception that the only time you go to school is when there’s a problem.

Celebratory events create shared positive memories for families and staff, strengthening relationships and the strengthening the school community.

Parent-Teacher Meetings Reimagined

Traditional parents’ evenings are a staple, but think about ways to increase attendance and make them more welcoming for hard-to-reach parents.

For instance, offer a flexible schedule (some slots in late afternoon, some early evening) or even a virtual meeting option for those who can’t come in person.

Some schools boost turnout by providing childcare, a crèche, or even a meal/refreshments during longer events, removing practical barriers like “Who will watch the kids?” or “I won’t have time to cook dinner.”

Another idea is to host student-led conferences, where the child helps present their work to the parent.

This format can engage parents who feel intimidated talking one-on-one with teachers by focusing the conversation on pride in the child’s accomplishments.

The key is to send the message that the school will go the extra mile to include every parent.

When parents do attend, ensure the meetings aren’t just about grades, use them to genuinely listen to parent insights about the child, and to reinforce that together you can support the child’s next steps.

Community and Social Events

Not every engagement has to be about academics.

Fun, community-building events can be very effective at drawing in parents who otherwise stay on the fringes.

Primary schools might host international food nights, cultural celebrations, school fairs, or simple coffee mornings for parents.

Events like these can also be great school fundraising opportunities.

These relaxed settings allow parents to meet teachers and other parents without the pressure of a formal meeting.

For example, a monthly “Coffee with the Headteacher” morning where parents can chat informally about what’s happening at school can surface concerns or ideas that wouldn’t come up otherwise.

Likewise, inviting parents to help with or attend assemblies, sports days, or holiday concerts gives them a sense of belonging to the school community.

When parents feel like they’re part of school life, they are more likely to engage in other ways, too.

Even in primary schools, parents might volunteer to run an after-school club, share a hobby (gardening, crafting) with a class, or assist on trips.

Those kinds of event-based contributions both utilise and build parent engagement, creating a virtuous cycle.

When planning events, keep in mind the earlier discussion on barriers.

Timing, location, and atmosphere matter greatly.

Schedule events at convenient times (consider mornings as well as evenings, and avoid clashing with typical work hours when possible).

Provide an environment that’s welcoming and informal, so parents who usually feel anxious will be more at ease.

Sometimes a personal invite works wonders for hesitant parents.

Having a staff member or another parent personally encourage them to come (“We’d love to see you at our Maths Fun Night next week; I think you’d enjoy it!”) can make a difference.

In some cases, doing face-to-face outreach, even home visits for those who never come to school, can build the bridge needed to get them to attend an event next time.

The extra effort pays off when you see a parent who’s never been involved start showing up and engaging.

Each successful event can boost a parent’s confidence in interacting with the school, leading to more involvement down the line.

In summary, school events can serve as doorways to deeper engagement.

They humanise the school for parents and show that it’s not an intimidating institution but a community that wants them there.

For Pupil Premium families, who might feel especially estranged from school, these events can be the first step in building trust and collaboration.

They turn “school” into a place where parents belong, not just their children.

Impact on Pupil Premium Goals and Student Outcomes

Does all this effort in communicating and engaging parents really make a difference for Pupil Premium pupils?

Absolutely!

When parent-school communication improves, we see direct and indirect impacts that align tightly with Pupil Premium’s core aims (raising attainment, improving other outcomes, and closing gaps):

Higher Academic Achievement

Engaged parents contribute to a better home learning environment, which translates into academic gains.

As noted, robust evidence links parental involvement to improved test scores and progress.

For Pupil Premium students, who may not have had the same academic support at home as more affluent peers, increased parental engagement can boost their learning by the equivalent of several months of additional progress.

Over a few years of primary school, this can narrow the attainment gap considerably.

Parents who are in the loop are more likely to read with their children, practice number facts, or discuss school topics at home, all of which reinforce classroom learning.

These small daily inputs add up.

By contrast, when parents are disengaged, disadvantaged pupils are more likely to fall behind or not catch up with their peers.

In short, better communication with parents helps ensure that Pupil Premium funding isn’t working in isolation; it creates a supportive home-school ecosystem that lifts the child’s achievement from both sides.

Improved Attendance and Behaviour

Achieving Pupil Premium goals isn’t only about test results, it’s also about removing non-academic barriers like poor attendance or behaviour issues that impede learning.

Here, parent communication is critical.

Schools that engage parents see improvements in attendance rates, because parents who understand the importance of regular schooling (and feel the school cares) are more likely to get their children to school consistently.

Even simple communications e.g. a text alert if a child is absent, combined with a relationship of trust, can reduce absenteeism.

Regarding behaviour, when parents and teachers communicate frequently, children get a consistent message that school and home are working together.

Minor issues can be addressed before they escalate.

Parents who might normally feel defensive are more open to discussing solutions if there’s a history of positive communication.

All of this contributes to a better school experience for the child, allowing them to focus on learning.

Greater Parental Confidence and Support at Home

One often overlooked impact is how communication empowers parents themselves.

When schools reach out and include parents, those parents often become more confident in supporting education at home.

For example, a parent who learns new reading strategies at a school workshop will be more equipped to help their child read at home.

A parent who gets regular updates knows where their child is struggling and can assist or ask for help sooner.

This is especially impactful for parents who didn’t have positive school experiences or who might feel “I’m not educated enough to help.”

Good communication and guidance from school can change that mindset as parents begin to see that their involvement doesn’t require advanced subject knowledge or formal training, just their time and encouragement.

As parents feel more efficacious, they provide a better home learning environment, which research shows is linked to better outcomes for the child.

In essence, engaged parents become an extension of the Pupil Premium strategy at home, reinforcing the school’s efforts.

Progress Toward Narrowing Gaps

Ultimately, the success of Pupil Premium is measured by whether the gap between disadvantaged pupils and others is closing.

Strong parent-school communication directly supports this by tackling some root causes of the gap.

Disadvantaged pupils often experience a learning loss during school holidays or lack enrichment outside school.

Engaging parents, by suggesting summer reading ideas or free local activities, can mitigate that risk.

Likewise, by keeping parents informed and involved, schools can intervene earlier when a pupil is falling behind, rather than letting issues compound.

We must acknowledge that improving outcomes for disadvantaged children is a complex challenge.

High-quality teaching and in-school support are crucial.

However, family engagement is the glue that holds it all together.

It ensures that the child’s learning doesn’t stop at the school gate.

As the Department for Education notes, Pupil Premium success comes from a combination of academic support and wider strategies that help pupils “attend, belong, and succeed.”

It’s also worth noting that Ofsted’s school inspections now explicitly consider how well leaders engage with parents and the community as an indicator of good leadership and management.

This reflects a system-wide understanding that engaging parents isn’t a fluffy extra, it’s a key driver of school improvement and pupil success.

Schools that prioritise communication with parents often see the benefits reflected in their results and in the confidence and satisfaction of their communities.

In summary, improved parent-school communication amplifies the impact of Pupil Premium funding by enlisting a powerful ally in the parents and in the shared mission of helping disadvantaged pupils succeed.

At My School’s Events, our user friendly school calendar helps keep parents up to date with the upcoming school events.

Parents can choose to receive automated email reminders specific to their child/children or they can easily see the school information on the school calendar.

For more information, check out My School’s Events!