Research shows that parental engagement has a significant impact on student success with Sparx. Schools that enable parent emails see on average 15% higher homework completion rates compared to those that don't. This article explains the importance of parent engagement and provides practical strategies for involving parents in their child's learning journey.
Why we engage parents
Why we engage parents
Parents who understand Sparx homework can better support their children's learning
Regular parent communication helps improve homework completion rates
Parent involvement creates a supportive learning environment at home
Clear parent communication reduces queries to teachers about homework
How we communicate with parents
How we communicate with parents
Parents receive an automated weekly update about their child's homework progress towards all Sparx homework set that week (if your school uses multiple Sparx Learning systems, updates will be contained in a single weekly email)
When the email is sent
If the student has been set a Sparx Maths homework that week, then the homework email is sent 3 days before the Sparx Maths completion day. If the student has only been set Science and/or Reader homework that week, then the email is sent on a Wednesday
Parents can opt out of emails at any time using the unsubscribe link included at the bottom of the email
Parent portal
Parent portal
Parents can click the "View all homework information" button in the email to access Parent Portal, which gives a live view of the student's current homework completion, as well as their previous homework tasks.
A unique portal link is included in every weekly email and expires 21 days after the email was sent.
Strategies for engaging parents
Strategies for engaging parents
At the start of the school year, consider sending a letter to parents explaining why homework is important for their child's progress. Highlight the positive impact it can have on their child's outcomes and the confidence they can gain from completing all of their homework each week.
Below is a template letter you are able to edit and send out to parents.
Frequently asked questions
How do I turn on parent emails?
How do I turn on parent emails?
You can control parent emails settings by going to Management - School Settings - Parent Emails. See Adding parent emails for more information.
What should parents do if they don't receive emails?
What should parents do if they don't receive emails?
Ask them to check their spam folder first. If emails aren't arriving, they should contact the school to verify their email address is correctly recorded in the school system.
Can we change the day or time parent emails are sent?
Can we change the day or time parent emails are sent?
No, it's not possible to change the day or time parent emails are sent.
Can parents help their child?
Can parents help their child?
Parental support is fantastic, but over-helping or doing the work for the child could lead to Sparx misunderstanding their level and making their homework too difficult. They should encourage their child to:
Have a go at the question before seeking help
Use the adaptive support to help them find the right answer
Speak to their teacher before the homework hand in day/time if they need additional support
How can parents best support their child?
How can parents best support their child?
To best support their child, parents can:
Provide a quiet space for homework
Encourage students to attempt questions independently
Contact teachers if their child is consistently struggling