School help call to grandparents

Teachers have improved results and children's attitudes by involving grandparents in lessons, where they help teach reading and history, inspectors said.

But Ofsted warned that many parents struggled because they they did not know how best to help their children with school work.

While children love having their parents coming into school to assist teachers in lessons or on trips, working mothers and fathers are often too busy, the report said.

Ofsted's findings follow concern that the long working hours culture is putting intolerable strain on family life, with children rarely seeing their parents.

The inspectorate's report, Parents, Carers and Schools, said: "Some schools reached out to grandparents, who often played a significant role in children's lives and learning outside school."

The report, based on a study of 25 schools, continued: "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."

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.

As well as contributing directly to the curriculum, in history for example, grandparents had a positive influence on pupils' behaviour, motivation and achievement. This was particularly noticeable in one school in which grandparents were learning about modern technology and helping the children with literacy.

Inspectors found that children valued their parents' presence in school.