ABSTRACT
The chapter begins by looking at the historical origins of parental involvement and identifying present policy recommendations. Six models of parental involvement are described: consultation; information meetings and open days; parents groups and workshops; school and classroom involvement; home support; and parent-school-community links. The strengths and weaknesses of the different models are discussed. A discussion of the wider context covers: understanding the blocks to involvement (which the author feels can be considerable); finding out parents’ views; identifying different approaches; re-thinking the professional role; and training issues. The author stresses that parents’ experiences of health education cannot be isolated from their involvement in, and experience of, the rest of the school.
