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Become a better tutor · Module 4: Parents as partners

Write updates parents actually read

Parents read updates on their phones, between other things. Put the answer first and keep it to three lines.

Written by the Brainhub Editorial Team Cites published research Updated 13 Oct 2026 5 min read

The course unlocks one lesson at a time. You can read this now, but it only counts once you’ve finished Tutor, not teacher.

Key takeaways

1. Answer first

Barbara Minto, who trained consultants at McKinsey, built her approach to business writing on one rule: start with the answer, then give the reasons. Busy readers decide in the first line whether to keep reading.[1]

A parent reading on the bus wants to know: is it going well, and is there anything I need to do? Tell them that first.

2. The three-line lesson note

What we did

Simultaneous equations: elimination method, then three exam questions.

What went well

Solved 4 of 5 on her own, and spotted her own sign error.

What’s next

Substitution method next week. Please check she does the 5 practice questions by Thursday.

3. The progress update

Every few weeks, send a slightly longer update in the same shape. Start with a one-line verdict, then the evidence and the plan. Use the student’s target from the agreement, so progress is measured against something everyone agreed.

The Education Endowment Foundation’s guidance on working with parents recommends communication that encourages positive conversations about learning at home. So end with one thing the parent can say or do: “Ask her to explain elimination to you over dinner.”[2]

Part
Example
Verdict
On track for the grade 5 target
Evidence
Practice paper up from 41% to 55% in four weeks
Still to do
Long questions under time pressure
Next four weeks
One timed question per lesson; full paper in week 8
How you can help
Ask her to explain one method to you each week

4. One sentence a week works

In a field experiment, teachers sent parents a weekly, one-sentence message about their own child: something to praise or something to work on. Students whose parents got the messages were 41% less likely to fail the course. The researchers called it extremely cost-effective.[3]

So alongside the lesson note, a single specific line each week is worth sending: “Amira finished every homework question this week. Ask her to show you the graph she drew.”

5. When the news isn’t good

Say it early, say it plainly and bring a plan: “Progress has slowed on algebra. I think it’s practice between lessons. I suggest 15 minutes on Tuesday and Thursday. Can you help make that happen?” A parent who hears about a problem in week 4 is a partner. One who hears in week 10 feels let down.

Try this: Re-read your last three lesson notes. Does each one start with the answer? Rewrite one so it does.

Try it now

Test yourself on this page

Answer in your head first, then check.

  1. 1. What is Minto’s core rule for business writing?

  2. 2. What are the three lines in a lesson note?

Your next steps

  • Use the three-line note after every lesson this week.
  • Send one progress update using the five-part table.
  • End each update with one thing the parent can do.

Finished this lesson?

0 of 15 lessons complete. Progress is saved on this device.

Sources

  1. Minto, B. (1987, revised editions since). The Pyramid Principle: Logic in Writing and Thinking. London: Pearson. barbaraminto.com
  2. Education Endowment Foundation (2021). Working with Parents to Support Children’s Learning: guidance report. educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/education-evidence/guidance-reports/supporting-parents
  3. Kraft, M. A. and Rogers, T. (2015). The underutilized potential of teacher-to-parent communication: evidence from a field experiment. Economics of Education Review, 47, 49–63. doi:10.1016/j.econedurev.2015.04.001

This lesson is general professional guidance for tutors. Always follow Brainhub’s safeguarding policy and use your own professional judgement.