Ministers have launched two expert-led teams to “spearhead a renewed focus” on enrichment and family engagement with schools. Reach Foundation boss Ed Vainker and Parent Voice Project founder Fiona Forbes have been appointed to co-chair the “school-parent partnership alliance” (SPPA). Fiona Forbes Meanwhile, Oasis chief Steve Chalke will lead the “enrichment alliance” (EA). The government said the groups will bring together experts, schools, trusts and parents to test what works and share best practice on giving children a “richer” school experience and improving schools’ relations with families. Parents ‘under-utilised’ The SPPA is surveying parents, teachers and leaders “to know all the ways that parents and schools are working in partnership – with the most effective suggestions to be tested in more schools from next year”. “Parents are the most important people in their children’s lives, and a key, but under-utilised, stakeholder in our education system,” Forbes said. “But to do that we need to hear from as many parents and school staff as possible through our listening exercise – I urge people to get involved.” Forbes pointed to Parent Voice Project research demonstrating “how often they feel underappreciated by schools in the educational journey”. Enrichment ‘not optional’ The Department for Education said the EA will “test ways that schools can offer an accessible, engaging extra-curricular offer that’s shaped by the community”. It has been charged with helping to “tackle the sharp drop-off in engagement and attendance during the early secondary years”. Chalke said: “Enrichment is not an optional extra. It is an essential part of every child’s education. Steve Chalke “Together, we want to open doors for every child to a future they might never otherwise have imagined.” The department published enrichment benchmarks earlier this year. Schools are expected to use them to evaluate their own provision and make improvements. School profiles launch Chalke was also one of five sector leaders appointed to enrichment ambassador roles to drum up support within the sector to provide more access to opportunities, and work with potential partners to show where they can fund provision. DfE added that the alliances will “spearhead a renewed focus on enrichment and parental engagement”. This comes as the department went live with its new school profiles website earlier today. Officials believe the service will help parents make decisions about their children’s education. Each school’s page on the platform will state its location, age range, attendance, results and wider offerings, like free breakfast clubs. DfE called this “an everyday fix that pulls clear, accessible information in one easy-to-find place”.