Schools are required by law to have a wide range of dealings with pupil's parents. In situations where the parents are estranged, or where a court order has been made regarding parenting, it is sometimes not clear which parent the school should be talking to, for example:

- who to send information to
- who to ask for consent to go on a school trip
- who to invite to meetings

The Department for Children's Schools and Families have produced a guide for schools, explaining what their duties are and providing guidance on the approach that schools should take. A link to this guidance is given here, as it may be of use to both parents and schools in understanding the process.