The Parent Ambassador initiative started in 2007, following the identification of the need to improve links with parents, particularly those from minority groups whose children were most at risk of underachieving. There was a shared feeling that whilst schools were generally effective at welcoming parents into the school, in terms of consultation they weren’t always successful in making contact with certain groups of parents. It was clear that in order to meet the objectives of the Every Child Matters agenda, some communities were in need of support to enable them to offer their opinions and ask questions.

The Canons Cluster Project addresses this need. The cluster is made up of nine schools (7 primary schools, 1 secondary school and 1 special school) which work collaboratively to deliver extended services in an area with high levels of deprivation.

This brochure and DVD set takes you through the project, outlining the aims and looking at various case studies as the project developed.

The principle aims of the parent ambassador project were to:

• Promote community cohesion by supporting families with integration

• Encourage parental involvement in children’s education amongst families with insufficient English to communicate effectively with the school

• Involve parents in all aspects of school life through an understanding of the British education system, school policies and practice

• Raise awareness of extended services within the population of the school and cluster

• Facilitate meaningful consultations on extended services, school improvement etc.

• Provide a contact point for outside groups to approach in order to recruit for Family Learning, ESOL classes, preschool provision etc.

• Address specific needs with individual families

• Empower parents by presenting themselves as positive role models from their communities in terms of good practice and personal development.

The brochure includes:

• Establishing the Parent Ambassador Initiative

• The Role of the Parent Ambassador

• Training

• The Impact of the Parent Ambassador Initiative

• Impact on Children

• The Way Forward for the Parent Ambassador Initiative