Record turnout for conference aimed at increasing parents' role in their children's learning

A record number of parents have attended the annual Tower Hamlets Council parent conference.

More than 160 local parents and carers attended the event, which was the ninth annual parent conference.

Held on Wednesday, March 11 at the CCT Venues Plus building at Canary Wharf, it celebrated the crucial role parents and carers play in raising children’s learning and achievement, and sought to encourage even further improvements.

The theme of the event was ‘Families Matter – Raising Achievement and Realising Aspirations’. It featured speeches and workshops aimed at giving advice and guidance on how parents can help their children improve their learning and education.

Practical measures parents can take include attending dedicated courses to keep up with the latest learning techniques, and providing space and equipment for revising and working at home.

Mayor Lutfur Rahman said: “It is great to see so much interest from parents in playing an active part in their children’s learning. Parents and carers have a crucial part to play in children reaching their potential.”

Those attending included parents, grandparents, foster carers and teenage parents.

Guest speakers included Cllr Gulam Robbani, the council cabinet member for education and children’s services, and Robert McCulloch-Graham, corporate director of Education, Social Care and Wellbeing.

Cllr Robbani said: “Despite the many challenges, Tower Hamlets parents and carers have shown they are more committed than ever to supporting their children’s learning and ensuring young people have more opportunities to achieve.”

The keynote speaker was Claire Frost, assistant headteacher at Langdon Park School, where dedicated sessions have been held to help parents support their child’s learning at home and also consider all of the options that are available for further education and training.

Conference workshops gave parents an opportunity to explore ideas for healthy living to raise attainment and also to widen horizons of young people and their families to pursue university places and apprenticeships.

Members of the Tower Hamlets Parent Carer Council spoke briefly about their experiences and encouraged other parents to join and contribute to the development of services for families in the borough.

The council offers a wide range of support and courses for parents which are always popular and oversubscribed.

For more information on parenting courses and support contact the Parent and Family Support Service on 0207 364 6398 or email Parenting@towerhamlets.gov.uk