About this course

Have you a small number of parents who can sometimes be difficult?

Do you want to ensure that relationships with parents are as harmonious as possible?

Would you like to develop strategies for dealing with conflict and awkward situations?

Many of those who work in schools, support and secretarial as well as teaching, will have encountered a difficult situation with a parent at least once.  Some parents can be very intimidating or even aggressive.  Staff find themselves increasingly threatened by seemingly unreasonable parents.   Such encounters can escalate to a situation where awkward conversations are avoided, or there is a complete breakdown in communication. This is especially true in Independent schools, but not only in Independents!

Course Outcomes:

• An insight into parents’ perspectives: what frustrates parents and makes them “difficult”
• Improved skills when dealing with potentially ugly situations
• Effective preparation for difficult meetings with parents
• The ability to handle unexpected encounters
• Increased awareness of the legal issues involved in schools

Course Outline:

Parents’ Perspectives

Why do parents become frustrated? Understanding parents’ perspectives

Communication issues and breakdown

Effective language and listening skills

Conflict and Anger

Why Anger builds up

How to spot potential problems to avoid 'conflict' or 'anger'

How to manage when life becomes ugly

Case studies: some real life situations

Difficult Meetings

Preparing for difficult meetings to try and get what you want

Keeping calm and being in control

Know how to cope with unexpected encounters

Some Legal Issues that you really need to know