by Euan MacLean
Parental engagement is one of the most overlooked factors in student success. Yet, schools often lack the time, resources, and strategies to make it work. Recognising this challenge, international school Principal and doctoral researcher Euan MacLean launched &Parents, a social enterprise dedicated to transforming parent-school collaboration.
Euan, who has worked with students from over 100 nationalities, including from the UK, USA, United Arab Emirates, Australia and Singapore, across multiple school systems, both online and in-person, repeatedly encountered the same issue. Parents wanted to be involved, but schools lacked time, resources, and clear processes to make it happen.
Recent research highlights the urgent need for change. According to Parentkind, more than half of parents feel their voices are ignored, and one in four doubts they could contact their child’s headteacher within 24 hours if needed. These barriers, including poor communication, unclear expectations, and outdated engagement methods, contribute to lower academic achievement, reduced motivation, and increased absenteeism.
Education’s leading voices also echo the need for stronger parent-school collaboration. Al Kingsley MBE, Multi-Academy Trust Chair, Speaker, and Education Author, highlights the impact of strong relationships between schools and families: “I couldn’t be more passionate about the need for parents and schools to work closely together. By fostering a transparent, long-term dialogue between families and educators, we set the stage for every child to truly thrive.”
Spending 12 years on the front lines of education, Euan worked directly with students, teachers, school leaders, and parents across diverse school settings. His firsthand experience and research showed a growing disconnect between parents and school, impacting both relationships, and overall student success. Mistrust, inconsistent communication, and unclear expectations left parents feeling shut out of their children’s education, while school staff struggled with the time and resources available to bridge the gap.
Determined to tackle this issue, Euan pioneered structured engagement strategies: introducing clearer reporting systems, inclusive parent-staff forums, and advisory boards that gave families a meaningful voice in decision-making. The impact was clear: parental trust increased, student motivation improved, and staff felt more confident in navigating relationships with the communities they served.
These experiences solidified a deeper truth. Schools needed more than goodwill; they needed an inclusive and sustainable approach to parent-school relationships. With studies from the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) indicating that positive parent-school relationships can lead to up to five months’ additional progress in student learning, the need for stronger collaboration between schools and families is clear. Given the growing parent-school divide witnessed firsthand, Euan says that launching &Parents was a decision that speaks for itself.
&Parents is a solution-driven social enterprise designed to equip schools with the tools, training, and strategies to transform parent-school partnerships into a strength, not a struggle. As a social enterprise, &Parents is built for impact, not just profit. By reinvesting into research, training, and resources, we help more schools, reach underrepresented families, and create sustainable, long-term change in parental-school relationships.
Founder and CEO Euan MacLean emphasises the critical nature of bridging the observed divide:“Schools know that parent-school interactions improve student outcomes, but many struggle to implement it effectively. Too often, communication feels like a one-way street, leaving parents frustrated and schools without the support they need. &Parents helps schools bridge this gap with practical, evidence-based strategies that turn parental involvement into a lasting strength.“
As a social enterprise for all, &Parents is committed to supporting all communities and school types, with both state and independent schools experiencing challenges. In engaging in a commitment to make improvements, all schools can ensure that every family has a voice and the support they need. For many of the independent schools navigating financial pressures and student retention challenges, stronger parent-school relationships can be a key differentiator. By deepening trust and collaboration with families, schools can reinforce their value and ensure long-term sustainability.
&Parents offers tailored workshops, strategic consultancy, and communication audits to help schools embed parent engagement as a core part of their culture. Euan will also work with education leaders, policymakers, and school groups to develop long-term strategies for bridging the parent-school divide.
With schools under increasing pressure to improve engagement and attendance and government scrutiny on family involvement ever-present, taking action now is essential. Schools serious about meaningful and lasting relationships with their parent communities can book a call with &Parents to assess their current approach and identify potential improvements.
Whether addressing poor communication, rebuilding trust, or embedding long-term engagement strategies, &Parents provides practical, evidence-informed solutions that deliver improved parent-school relationships, and improved student academic achievement and overall outcomes.
Visit www.andparents.com or contact Euan MacLean at hello@andparents.com or +44 (0)131 381 5025 to take the first step towards transforming parent-school collaboration today.
About &Parents
&Parents is a social enterprise committed to transforming the way schools and parents collaborate. &Parents encourage schools around the world to transform parent-school collaboration. To get started, visit www.andparents.com or contact Euan MacLean directly at hello@andparents.com or +44 (0)131 381 5025 for an initial discussion.
ENDS
Media Contact:
Euan MacLean
hello@andparents.com
+44 (0)131 381 5025
www.andparents.com