Commentary
How schools engage with parents and carers is crucial. This case study provides an excellent example of the effect of dropping into a different national category and the reaction of parents as a result. Please note that Welsh Government has consulted on ‘ending categorisation as a formal national process with published outcomes. The core purpose of categorisation – determining what support schools need to improve will remain, but categorisation itself will be replaced by a support process, led by regional consortia, in which consortia agree with schools the support they need to improve.’
This section will be updated as soon as possible. https://gov.wales/school-improvement-guidance
The School has implemented a variety of good approaches with the support from the Challenge Adviser to develop communication strategies with parents. This now needs to become fully embedded into everyday life and developed over time. Every school will have their own communication strategy in place, and what works for one may not always work as well for another school. By keeping parents fully informed along the way, this can prevent complaints and concerns escalating.
The numerous changes of the Chair of governors in a 12-month period is considerable and would not have helped to promote stability. The school and governing body now need to pull together in a concerted effort to develop and implement a longer-term Communication/PR strategy.
There are lots of examples of effective practice that provide useful ways to engage with parents. Effective parental engagement can help to inform strategic planning, improve learner outcomes, promote community engagement, as well as improving governor accountability. Parent surveys, information published in school bulletins and on the schools’ website about the work of the governing body and key school priorities, governor representative(s) attending parent evenings, are some of the ways to engage with parents.
Governors Cymru Services has a resource for governors on engaging with parents.
http://governors.cymru/publications/2018/08/29/engaging-parents-role-governing-body/
Here are a few case studies provided by Estyn to also help you on your way:
https://www.estyn.gov.wales/news/parental-involvement-schools-helps-pupils-achieve
Information from Welsh Government:
https://gov.wales/parenting-engagement-and-support-guidance-providers
https://gov.wales/family-and-community-engagement-toolkit-welcoming-families-engage-school
School Governor Reflections Resource 
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