Written by Victoria, Deputy Head of Dallington School.
At Dallington School, we believe that learning flourishes when children feel connected—to their teachers, their peers, and the wider community around them. True to The Dallington Difference, our approach celebrates individuality, creativity, relationships, and enjoying the journey. A vital part of that journey is the close partnership we nurture with our parents.
Parent involvement isn’t just welcomed at Dallington—it’s woven into the fabric of our school. Families regularly share their expertise, passions, and life experiences, enriching children’s learning in ways that feel authentic, memorable, and deeply meaningful. This term in particular has been a vibrant example of how our families bring subjects to life across the whole school.
Here are just a few of the inspiring parent-led sessions that have taken place this term:
Bringing History & Human Rights to Life
Earlier this term, Hannah, a Dallington parent and practising barrister, joined Years 5 and 6 for an eye-opening session on the history of the transatlantic slave trade and modern human rights. Her visit helped students explore challenging themes with clarity and compassion, sparking thoughtful discussions and encouraging critical thinking—skills at the very heart of our curriculum.
Hands-On Science With a Real Palaeontologist
This term, children in Years 1 & 2 and Years 3 & 4 were captivated by a special visit from Tristan’s grandad, Peter, a palaeontologist and geologist. Armed with real fossils and a treasure trove of stories, he guided children through hands-on exploration and inquiry. This practical encounter ignited curiosity and deepened the children’s understanding of prehistory, rocks, and the natural world.
Exploring the World Through Economics & Sustainability
Also this term, Ada’s dad, Rick—a lecturer and environmental economist—joined us for an insightful session about the environment, sustainability, and how economics shapes the world we live in. His visit connected beautifully with our focus on empathy, responsibility, and understanding global issues from multiple perspectives.
Creativity, Egypt, and Embracing Mistakes
We were also delighted to welcome Alex (Hugo’s mum), a professional artist, who led an inspiring workshop themed around Ancient Egypt earlier this term. She spoke to the children about the creative process and the importance of making mistakes—reinforcing one of our key messages at Dallington: that individuality and exploration matter just as much as outcomes. Alex also supported the children in creating their own costumes for the upcoming winter show, for a hands-on, creative, learning experience.
A Learning Community That Grows Together
These enriching parent-led experiences have made this term especially inspiring for our children, beautifully reflecting the values at the heart of Dallington, our Recipe for Success: Relationships, Empathy, Creativity, Individuality, Play, and Enjoying the journey (RECIPE).
When parents share their passions and expertise, children gain new perspectives, strengthen their confidence, and see how learning connects to real life. Our parents help make education meaningful, diverse, and vibrant—and we’re proud of the collaborative community that makes Dallington so special.
If you’d like to get involved or have skills, stories, or interests to share, we’d love to hear from you. Together, we keep growing a school environment where every child is inspired to love, grow, and succeed.
