One of my favourite things to do these days is go out for dinner with my son, who happens to be a pretty successful chef.
Whenever I'm in town, his answer is usually the same:
“Yes, I'm free for dinner, but I book the restaurant.”
Over the years, we’ve explored some truly special places together. As someone who didn't get on with university, I see it as an investment in his education, as well as my own professional development when it comes to designing extraordinary experiences. And, of course, it's our way of spending time together.
One evening, we found ourselves at Dinner by Heston Blumenthal at the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park. A waitress approached our table and placed three playing cards in front of us.
“It’s time to choose the kind of service you’d like tonight, gentlemen,” she said.
We examined the cards and debated our options:
The Adventurer: The food does the talking. No stories. The dishes are served, and you’re left to enjoy them on your own.
The Guide: You’re given an introduction to Heston’s mind and his food. The waiter explains each dish and the stories behind them.
The Maverick: You’re all in. The waiter guides you through Heston’s world, tailoring the experience to your interests.
Naturally, we chose 'Maverick' and had a fascinating evening—tasting, discussing, and immersing ourselves in the stories behind the food.
But it got me thinking. When it comes to the experience of being a school parent, we tend to take a one-size-fits-all approach. Yet, parents are investing in their child’s education—an experience that lasts years, not just hours. What if schools embraced choice in the same way, giving parents a say in how they engage with their child’s learning journey?
Imagine if, during the admissions process, schools presented parents with three options:
The Trusted Friend: You trust us to educate your child, keep them safe, and deliver on our promise. We respect that you have a busy life, so we’ll keep communication clear and to the point, reaching out only when needed.
The Energizer: You’re eager to jump in, get involved, and connect with other parents. We’ll guide you on the best ways to support your child’s education and stay informed.
The Critical Friend: You trust us, but you also want to be heard. We’ll create opportunities for you to provide feedback, share perspectives, and even take on governance roles if that interests you. Every school needs critical friends.
And, just like at Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, parents could swap their cards as their circumstances change. What matters is recognizing that each approach is valid and valuable.
The challenge today is that many parents feel there’s only one acceptable way to engage with their child’s school. But real life doesn’t fit into a single path—and it shouldn’t have to.
Isn’t it time we moved beyond a one-size-fits-all model for school-parent relationships? By offering parents meaningful and relevant choices, schools can foster stronger connections and create more engaging, personalised experiences.
Photo by Delightin Dee on Unsplash.
