Why the school chose the award 

River Tees Secondary Academy sought the LPPA to strengthen relationships with families, remove barriers to parental involvement, and embed parents as key partners in their children’s education. The award provided a framework to celebrate what was already working well and to continue building trust, communication, and engagement with families. 

Key achievements 

1. Strong communication 

• Weekly positive phone calls home celebrated pupil progress and strengthened family trust. 
• Regular updates shared via newsletters, social media, and the school website. 
• Commissioned transport drivers acted as an extension of the school team, greeting families and supporting smooth transitions. 

2. Family and community engagement 

• School fairs and celebration events welcomed families into the school community. 
• Parents praised the open-door approach, saying they always felt listened to and supported. 
• Successes showcased through art galleries, displays, and social media posts. 

3. Student voice and experience 

• Students valued being known personally: “You are somebody and not just a number.” 
• Pupils spoke positively about supportive relationships, wellbeing, and feeling safe. 
• Opportunities at transition points helped pupils and parents feel confident and prepared. 

4. Leadership and culture 

• LPPA embedded in the School Development Plan and aligned with trust-wide improvement strategies. 
• A cross-school LPPA working group enabled consistent implementation across the trust. 
• Governors and leaders demonstrated strong commitment, ensuring parental engagement is sustained at every level. 

Impact at River Tees Secondary Academy 

• All stakeholders actively engaged with the LPPA process. 
• Parent/carer attendance at events has grown, with increased community involvement. 
• Positive adult-student and adult-parent relationships are now at the heart of school life. 
• Parents describe the school as life-changing, highlighting the positive difference it has made for their children and families. 

The LPPA has enabled River Tees to embed a culture of trust, respect, and collaboration, ensuring parents are true partners in their children’s education. 

In their words 

“We are very proud to be recognised for the work we deliver to our families. Many of our families have faced barriers within the education system and have only received negative feedback regarding their child's behaviour and attitudes. As you have reflected, the staff go above and beyond at River Tees Secondary to engage families and build trusting relationships. This can be a slow and challenging process but one that is worthwhile. Partnership working with our families will remain a priority and we have committed to embedding this award further within our School Development Plan.” 
Sarah Birch, Headteacher, River Tees Secondary Academy 

Looking ahead 

The school is committed to: 

• Launching a new communication platform to further strengthen family engagement. 
• Enhancing the school website to better meet the needs of families as key stakeholders. 
• Continuing to build on LPPA priorities, with parent forums and more parent-friendly policies planned. 

Interested in achieving the same impact? 

The Leading Parent Partnership Award helps schools build lasting, positive relationships with families, ensuring parents are active partners in their children’s education. 
 
👉 Find out more about the award and how your school can begin its journey today.