Wolverhampton primary school becomes first in UK to win prestigious parenting award

The award recognises schools with meaningful partnerships with parents and carers, celebrates achievements which go beyond communication, embedding collaboration and trust into the culture of the school community.

The Parent‑Friendly Gold Award highlights excellence across several key areas, including a strong shared ethos and positive behaviours, genuine two‑way communication with families, meaningful home‑based learning, active parental involvement in school life, and purposeful partnerships within the wider community.

Together, these elements help to build trusting relationships that empower parents, increase participation, and support children to thrive both academically and emotionally.

With support from Parentkind, Bantock Primary School undertook a period of deep reflection on its partnership work with families. The Gold Award acknowledges not only the outcomes of this approach, but also the sustained commitment and values‑driven journey behind it.

The primary school is part of the Wulfruna Partnership academy trust, which has schools across the Black Country.

The Wulfruna Parnertship CEO, Harvey Sarai, said: "This recognition powerfully reinforces what we have long believed. Valuing parents as partners is not extra work, it is essential work.

"We are grateful that this award recognises the journey as well as the outcome, and the shared commitment that makes this work meaningful."

School chiefs stressed the award belongs to the entire Bantock community. Families, staff, pupils and partners have all played a vital role in creating a welcoming, inclusive environment where collaboration and openness are part of everyday life.

Bantock Primary School hopes its achievement will encourage other schools to continue strengthening relationships with families, recognising the essential role parents and carers play in children’s learning and wellbeing.