Every primary school teacher will know that finding a balance between too much and too little parent-teacher communication is near impossible. This communication BC (‘Before Coronavirus’) often became pigeon-holed to functional chat at pick up/drop-off or a termly, more personalised parents’ evening (but let’s face it, 15 meetings in and you can find yourself switching to autopilot). Since lockdown, I’ve been pleasantly surprised to realise that frequent communication with parents about their child, completed work or even about baking or pets has been so genuinely pleasant. In multiple cases I’ve managed to build stronger and more personal relationships with parents virtually than I found the time to do in person. Could this be due to the ‘we are all in this together’ sentiment that’s connecting us all at the moment? This rings particularly true for parents and teachers who are now co-educators, collaborating to support the development of ‘our’ child together rather than as those in charge of the previously more separate entities of home and school.

Here are five ways I will continue to harness some of this collaborative spirit once schools are open again.