How to rebuild strong school communities pulled apart by the challenges of Covid

Earlier this year, we published an article about the crack team of parents working behind the scenes to keep their school-community spirit in full flow and help pull families out of the daily drudge of lockdown. We heard about how school PTAs became a lifeline for many families – and learnt about some of the many brilliant virtual initiatives put into place with just a moment’s notice, from weekly Zoom quizzes to online wine tastings.

Thankfully, life is slowly but surely getting back to normal this term. But with parents warned off lingering at the school gates and bake sale after bake sale being cancelled, Covid has no doubt left a gaping hole in many school communities – particularly for new families struggling to integrate.

A recent survey by online community-building website found that 76 per cent of parents had not reached out to a new family in the past nine months; 24 per cent said they had never taken the time to welcome a new family into their school community; and 32 per cent admitted that they’d last made contact with a new family well over a year ago.

So what can we parents do to help? ‘We are calling on well-established parents to give back now,’ says Susan Burton, Classlist’s CEO. ‘Especially after the past 18 months of disconnection and alienation, we’re asking you to take the time to extend a welcome to the new faces you’ll see at school in the next few weeks. There’s always time to pay forward the kindness you benefited from at the start of your school-parent life.’

During its research, Classlist analysed the activity of 300,000 parents who use its app – and found that most go out of their way to be involved in their child’s school during their first two years, sharing advice, organising parties and playdates and volunteering at fundraising events. The reason? We parents want our children to thrive socially, as well as educationally. But unless parents make the effort to form tight bonds in the early years, all of this fantastic community energy risks falling off a cliff once their children are settled.

‘People are far more likely to volunteer to help with a fundraising event if they know their friends are going to be there too,’ says Clare Wright, Classlist’s co-founder. ‘There aren’t many people who will volunteer at a bake sale or a sponsored event without any buddies to go along with.’

‘We’ve tracked school groups and found that those with really active class reps in the early years will have helped parents meet and bond over the many little social events – the coffee mornings and nights out,’ adds Clare. ‘In turn, those tight-knit classes end up raising more funds for school later on because of their joint willingness to volunteer to help at events or even running the parent association.’

If making small talk at the school gates fills you with anxiety, Classlist has put together some tips for parents eager to make new friends on the school run:

Prepare everything the night before – school uniform, bags, shoes and coat all lined up. A last-minute rush will increase your anxiety.

Look up and smile. Grinning inanely across the playground may seem daft. But remember that many other parents are in the same situation as you. Seeing your friendly face will put them at ease and release the endorphins that you’ll need.

Consider what you are actually fearing. Is it looking like you’re all alone, blushing, or a deeper fear of rejection? Try not to let that define your experience of this part of parenthood – the school run goes on for many years!

Seek out a friendly-looking person either on the edge of a group or also alone. They are likely to be glad of the intrusion. Ask a pre-crafted question to open up the conversation.

Suggest your school considers using a community app like Classlist. You can reach out to your child’s new friends’ parents, organise parties and playdates, and ask for advice and tips on anything from homework to school bags.

Classlist is asking new parents to welcome new families in person and share its campaign on , or using #hellohellohello.

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How to rebuild strong school communities pulled apart by the challenges of Covid

TE Schools Advice