More than three-quarters of parents think teachers have been given an “impossible task” in coping with partial school closures during the Covid crisis, new research shows.
And more than four in five say they have confidence in their child’s school, according to a Mumsnet survey of more than 1,000 parents from across the UK.
The research, carried out between 20 and 22 January, also found that the majority of parents (62 per cent) want children in primary and exam years to return to school after the February half-term.
Covid: The reality of teaching in lockdown
Ofsted: Remote learning ‘threat’ to teacher wellbeing
Exclusive: 75% of teachers against school opening plan
The survey found that 76 per cent of parents think teachers and schools have been given an impossible task in coping with Covid-related closures.
A total of 81 per cent have confidence in their child’s own school, and 78 per cent have confidence in teachers and schools in general.
Other findings from the survey include:
- 75 per cent of parents say school lockdowns are harming children’s education.
- 73 per cent of those doing home-schooling say their child is more demotivated and disengaged than they would be on a “normal” school day (48 per cent of those whose children are physically at school say the same).
- 40 per cent of parents whose children are in private schools say their children are actively engaged in learning five or more hours a day, compared with 12 per cent of parents whose children are in state schools.
- 14 per cent say they have confidence in the UK government.
- 11 per cent say they have confidence in education ministers in Westminster (education ministers in devolved administrations scored 15 per cent).
Mumsnet founder Justine Roberts said: “Parents and children need some real clarity now about when and how schools might open, and about how exams will be handled.”
The Department for Education has been contacted for comment.
