This text examines the factors that shape and influence home-school relations. At its heart is an analysis of parent-teacher relationships in an inner city borough, drawn from case studies of five primary schools and a parents' centre. Interviews with parents are revealing windows into parents' views on a range of issues, including curriculum, discipline and parents' relationships with their children's teachers., The author also considers teachers' perspectives on these matters, and explores the influence of social class, ethnicity and gender on parent-teacher interactions. While presenting these issues within a consideration of broader themes such as citizenship, community, power and participation, the book discusses the reasons why initiatives designed to improve home- school relations appear to result in such limited change.