Overview

Unsted Park School is a specialist setting supporting pupils with complex needs, where strong relationships with families are central to the school’s approach. Through its commitment to open communication, personalised support, and meaningful collaboration, the school has successfully achieved the Leading Parent Partnership Award (LPPA).

The impact

Parents feel informed and supported, and trust the school to meet their child’s needs. Communication is strong and consistent, which helps create a joined up approach between home and school.

Parents spoke positively about how easy it is to contact staff and how quickly concerns are addressed. They also highlighted the level of individual support provided, particularly during more challenging times.

Students recognise the close communication between school and home, and value being included in discussions about their own progress and future plans.

Headteacher reflection

“I am delighted that Unsted Park School has been recognised with the Leading Parent Partnership Award. Building strong, trusting and meaningful relationships with parents and carers is central to our ethos, particularly as we support pupils with complex needs.

This verification reflects the commitment of our staff team to open communication, personalised support and genuine collaboration with families. It also gives us a clear framework to continue improving our practice. We look forward to building on this further.” Shane Kenny, Headteacher

The approach

Unsted Park has built a strong culture of working with parents through clear, consistent communication and a focus on individual needs.

Staff stay in regular contact with families using a mix of phone calls, emails and meetings. Communication is expected as standard across the school, with tutors and staff speaking to parents at least weekly about progress and wellbeing.

Parents are involved from the start. During induction, they work closely with the SENCO and therapy team to share information and shape support plans. This continues throughout the child’s time at the school, with parents contributing to care plans, behaviour support and wider provision.

The school also creates opportunities for parents to engage beyond day to day communication. Workshops, events and shared resources help parents feel confident in supporting their children at home.

Key achievements

Established consistent and meaningful communication

• Weekly communication between staff and parents embedded across the school
• Clear expectations in place so all families receive regular updates
• Flexible communication methods used to suit individual parent needs

Built strong and trusting relationships with families

• Staff have a clear understanding of individual family circumstances
• Regular review meetings ensure communication is joined up and consistent
• The school actively supports and advocates for families when needed

Delivered a personalised approach to induction and ongoing support

• Individual induction pathways introduced for every pupil
• Parents involved in shaping EHCPs, care plans and behaviour support
• Structured support in place for key transition points, including preparation for adulthood

Increased parent engagement in school life

• Workshops introduced based on parent feedback and needs
• Strong attendance at school events and activities
• Practical resources shared regularly to support learning at home

Looking ahead

The school is continuing to develop its parent partnership work by improving access to information and building on feedback from families. This includes:

• Expanding the parent section of the website
• Sharing more information in advance about activities and curriculum
• Making workshop content more accessible for all parents
• Continuing to gather feedback and act on it

Interested in achieving the same impact?

The Leading Parent Partnership Award (LPPA) supports schools in embedding a culture of collaboration, trust, and communication with families. It provides a structured framework to strengthen relationships and ensure parents are active partners in every child’s education.

👉 Find out more about the award and how your school can begin its journey today.