Schools urged to tap into the talents of grandparents

Schools can improve children's grades and attitudes to learning by involving close relatives in lessons, it says in a report.

As mothers and fathers are often kept away by work commitments, it suggests grandparents could participate instead.

The report, called Parents, Carers and Schools, is based on a survey of 15 primary schools and ten secondaries.

"Some schools reached out to grandparents, who often played a significant role in children's lives and learning outside school," it said.

"Schools which actively encouraged the involvement of grandparents and other members of the extended family noticed significant improvements in children's attitudes and achievement.

"We recommend that schools seek ways to tap this important source of support."

The report added that teachers "recognised the importance of involving grandparents and the value of their contribution".

"They also recognised the importance of extended family in a community in which an increasing number of parents and carers found it difficult to come to school because of work commitments and the demands of younger children," it said.

"As well as contributing directly to the curriculum, in history for example, grandparents had a positive influence on pupils' behaviour, motivation and achievement."

The study follows a warning from the Children's Society that family life is being fractured by a culture of long working hours and rising divorce rates.

Where schools had managed to bring parents into the classroom, pupils had enjoyed hearing them give talks on subjects as diverse as Egyptology, film-making, birds of prey and reflexology, the report said.

One infants school encouraged parents to join their children for the first lesson of every day. This helped schools forge a closer relationship with parents, aiding pupil progress.

However the report also found that many parents did not get the information they needed about how to help their children at home.

It suggested more frequent school reports and subject-specific parents' evenings as well as broad overviews with form tutors.

Other schools failed to keep parents informed when their children were involved in 'difficult situations' such as misbehaviour, Ofsted said.

It suggested schools alert parents - perhaps with a text message - immediately if their children get into trouble.

Head of Ofsted Christine Gilbert said: "Parents and carers need more guidance about how they can support their children's learning.

"Schools should identify parents' and carers' special skills and interests, and find ways that they can be used to help learning. They should also involve the extended family, where possible."