Improving attendance and raising attainment remain two of the most pressing priorities in education today. This House of Lords session will explore new insights from VenturEd Solutions’ just released Parental Engagement Report and independent parent‑led research, offering a timely evidence base on how schools can build stronger, more engaged communities.

The session will open with briefings from sector specialists, including Marc Robinson, Managing Director of VenturEd Solutions, who will share key findings on the link between parental engagement, pupil wellbeing, and school performance. This will be followed by an expert roundtable discussion chaired by Rebecca Fowkes, bringing together voices from parents, school and MAT leaders, and government to examine best practice, lived experience, and the wider strategic landscape shaping parental engagement today.

Together, panellists will explore:

• How schools can strengthen relationships with parents and carers

• What parents identify as barriers -and opportunities - for deeper engagement

• The impact of engagement on attendance, attainment, and whole‑school culture

• How policy can better support schools in building connected, thriving communities