Parent-teacher relationships: 10 practical resources and real-life insights

Our annual Teacher Wellbeing Index found that 37% of staff feel parents and guardians are less supportive when it comes to improving children’s behaviour at school. Additionally, 43% of staff reported an increase in vexatious complaints from parents.

Yet we know that positive relationships with parents can have a powerful impact on pupils learning, behaviour and attendance. When these relationships break down, however, they often become a major source of stress for both teachers and school leaders.

Hear from three educators below who shared their honest reflections with us on the challenges of building strong home–school relationships. Then, explore and share our top 10 practical resources, packed with expert-led strategies to help strengthen collaboration with parents and guardians in your school.

Charlotte, teacher

“I have formed strong bonds with parents of children who struggled, where my efforts to support them were appreciated. On the flip side, I faced significant challenges with parents of disruptive students who did not see the severity of their children's behaviour, leading to confrontational meetings and additional stress for me.”

Alex, school leader

“Parental complaints have a huge impact on teachers’ mental health. Long, frequent emails from parents, the pressure to respond immediately, and the constant worry about how they will react can be overwhelming”. 

Sophie, teacher

“I’ve seen a growing trend of polarising and divisive policies and systems. This strains our relationships with parents. The media makes some parents believe teachers are avoiding accountability, while we may feel that parents want simplistic judgments to help them choose schools - which often isn’t true. But ultimately, we’re all on the same page."

Top 10 practical resources

To help school staff and leaders feel more confident, equipped and supported in their relationships with parents, we’ve brought together our top 10 free, practical resources below:

1. Partnering with parents: five strategies for stronger school communities

We spoke to Lynn How, a SENCO with over 24 years’ experience in the education sector, about how schools can effectively engage with parents to enhance trust, collaboration and build a stronger school community.

2. Home-school communication tool

Use and adapt our template messaging to help establish clear communication expectations and boundaries with parents at your school.

3. Building better parent-teacher relationships webinar  

Watch this insightful webinar where we explore how to build and nurture healthy teacher-parent relationships, have better conversations with parents, deal with challenging behaviour and develop policies and strategies.

4. Better together: building positive relationships between parents and teachers

Sarah Mullin, deputy headteacher and parent, discusses how teachers and parents can work together to do the best for young people.

5. Technology and teaching: top tips for boundary setting 

After-school communication expectations can cause anxiety and rob you of your down-time. Learn practical ways to set clear boundaries and expectations.

6. Developing a technology strategy to support staff wellbeing

Does your school have a strategy in place to support staff? Use our questions below to help inform or refresh a technology strategy to support staff wellbeing at your school.

7. Setting boundaries: a guide for staff in schools

Without boundaries, being open and available can quickly turn you into being overwhelmed and overworked. Read our guide for tips for school staff to set and keep clear boundaries, including with parents.

8. Managing disagreements at work: a guide for teachers and education staff 

Teachers and education staff manage a range of relationships every day. Disagreements are inevitable, but what can you do about them?

9. Supporting safeguarders: managing the emotional challenges

All education staff have a safeguarding responsibility, but the emotional challenges that come with that responsibility can be tough to manage. Listen to our webinar with The Safeguarding Company for expert advice and support strategies.

10. COMING SOON: Supporting SEND provision and staff wellbeing - a guide for school leaders  

In this guide we unpack how leaders and managers can take care of themselves and their teams to allow them to support pupils and parents, against the reality of an education system under increasing pressure.  

Remember, if you or your team are struggling with any of the topics covered in these resources, we can help in a number of ways. Things might be difficult, but you’re never alone: 

• Download and share our helpline poster or call our free helpline, available 24/7 to support teachers and education staff across the UK: 08000 562 561.  

• If you’d like more practical advice to support yourself and your team in dealing with the emotional challenges of working in education, our Employee Assistance Programme, designed specifically for education staff, can help. 

• Schools in Wales: Sign up to the Staff Wellbeing Service at no cost to your school, which includes our funded Culture Development Service, a Wellbeing Advisory Service and Professional Supervision.

Education Support is the only UK charity dedicated to supporting the mental health of teachers and education staff. We produce our resources thanks to generous donations from our supporters. Please donate today so we can continue providing support to everyone working in education.