Parent-teacher relationship vital to home schooling
New study reveals extent of practical and emotional support offered by teachers

Date:
December 2, 2021
Source:
Anglia Ruskin University
Summary:
A research survey of primary school teachers in England has
emphasized the importance of the relationship between parents
and primary schools during lockdown school closures. 84% of
teachers said they felt some pupils were disadvantaged by their
home circumstances.



FULL STORY ==========================================================================
A research survey of primary school teachers in England has emphasised
the importance of the relationship between parents and primary schools
during lockdown school closures, with teachers providing a range of
practical and emotional support alongside academic assistance to parents
to try and negate perceived disadvantages in home circumstances.


==========================================================================
With schools closed from March 2020 until the end of the academic year
and again from January 2021, pupils were taught online. This put an
expectation on parents to shoulder some of the responsibility in ensuring pupils were engaged in their learning and to try and minimise some of
the disadvantages faced by pupils from lower income families who may not
have had access to the same learning equipment or facilities as others.

Academics from Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) led a team of researchers
who surveyed 271 primary school teachers from across the country during
June and July 2000, and also carried out follow-up interviews with a
smaller cohort in April this year to compare the second round of school closures from January 2021.

Participants worked in schools with differing levels of pupil premiums,
which is additional funding provided by the Government to schools based
on the number of pupils in a school deemed to be at an economic or social disadvantage. Lower pupil premium schools had fewer children considered
to be at a disadvantage, while higher pupil premium schools had more.

The vast majority (84%) of teachers felt some pupils had been
disadvantaged by school closures due to their home circumstances.

The researchers found that all teachers provided resources for
parents to use at home, either created by themselves or using other
sources. However, while pupils from schools with a lower pupil premium
number were significantly better able to access all resources than those
from schools with higher pupil premium numbers, middle income families struggled to find the time to engage with home schooling, with many
working from home in white collar professions during the pandemic.



==========================================================================
The study highlights the broad range of support that primary teachers gave
to children and their parents during the pandemic, not only academically,
but also practically and emotionally. Teachers kept in touch with
parents more regularly, either through online calls or home visits,
and as a result felt they gained a greater understanding of children's
home lives, which helped build trust.

Many gave examples of ways they supported families through other means,
such as organising collaborations with charities to provide breakfasts
for children whose families were struggling to afford food, making up
food hampers, and even providing loans. Some teachers provided specific sessions for parents to guide them through some of the teaching materials,
or to boost their confidence.

Lead author Dr Sara Spear, Head of the School of Management at ARU,
said: "The COVID-19 pandemic was a difficult and stressful time for many people, and for some families it caused, or exacerbated, socio-economic difficulties.

"Our results showed that parental participation in schooling in
middle income families was predominantly impeded by parents' work responsibilities, with one or both parents likely to be working, and
long hours and high-pressured jobs leaving little time for supporting children's home learning.

"This was exacerbated in the second closure period, with more parents
working, and increased expectations for children's learning. Only the
richest families had access to resources, such as private tuition and
intensive private schooling, that alleviated these pressures.

"It was clear from our research that a closer relationship between
teachers and parents meant a greater understanding of the difficulties
faced by some parents, and as a result teachers went above and beyond to
try and make sure no child was left behind. Teachers are hopeful that
this stronger relationship will lead to better engagement in future,
with things like parents' evenings being held online to encourage better attendance.

"In the event of future school closures, schools should consult with
parents when determining any requirements for learning at home, to ensure
that this is inclusive for the families in their community. Schools
should pay particular attention to access to technology, and
consider parents' ability and capacity to participate in schooling." ========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by Anglia_Ruskin_University. Note:
Content may be edited for style and length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. Sara Spear, John Parkin, Tommy van Steen, Janet Goodall. Fostering
"parental participation in schooling": primary school teachers'
insights from the COVID-19 school closures. Educational Review,
2021; 1 DOI: 10.1080/00131911.2021.2007054 ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/12/211202141523.htm

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