General Teaching Council Northern Ireland

Parents 'want texts from schools'

12/09/2008 :: UK :: BBC News

Many parents would like school reports on their children's performance texted or e-mailed, a survey says.

One in 12 of the 1,493 parents polled by government education technology agency Becta said schools kept them informed using these methods.

But 68% of parents said they wanted schools to use such technologies to keep them up to date more frequently.

Some 15% of parents were told of their child's progress at least once a month, and 85% were updated four times a year.

And eight out of 10 wanted more feedback on how their child was doing.

Quality contacts

Nearly three-quarters of parents polled said they monitored their bank balance by phone or online at least once a month.

Tanya Byron, clinical psychologist and TV parenting expert, said: "I think that parents are right to be asking to have greater and more regular access to information relating to their children's development at school.

"Using a variety of digital platforms, such as the internet and text, will enable schools and parents to have a greater collaborative relationship, which can only benefit each child."

Niel McLean, of Becta's Next Generation Learning Campaign, said engaging parents was key to a child's success at school.

"Yet it appears parents and schools are not talking as much, or as a frequently, as parents would like.

"Using technology, there are many ways to increase the frequency and quality of contact parents have with schools.

"This can be done easily and cost effectively, without putting extra pressure on teachers."