LETTER:Pupil and parentpartnership

From Ms Liz Williams

Sir: The Advisory Centre for Education welcomes the Education Select Committee's acknowledgement of the key part that parental involvement plays in successful schools ("Pupils' poor performance blamed on parents", 6 July).

We are, however, concerned that accusations of hostility from some parents disguise a real need that many parents have for help in how to approach the school when their child has a problem, and a lack of knowledge or understanding of their rights and how the education system works.

ACE's experience of helping parents over the past 35 years shows that independent advice and information can transform their relationship with the school and improve their childrens' behaviour and achievement.

Problems parents need to solve for their children include bullying, exclusion, discrimination, and unmet special educational needs. The Advisory Centre for Education also helps parents to understand their choices and the consequences of those choices, turn their moans into positive suggestions, and point them towards a reasonable next step when they have a complaint.

Yours faithfully,

Liz Williams

Advisory Centre for Education

London, N5

6 July