Parents’ worry for returning pupils

The Government plans for a full reopening of schools in the coming weeks but there is still a lot of concern amongst parents for their children’s development after such a difficult year.

According to Barnardos’ annual Back to School Survey, while most pupils are looking forward to returning to school, the majority of parents are worried about their children’s educational, emotional and social development.

In addition, the survey results have highlighted the level of adversity families faced over the past twelve months, including increased mental health issues, financial concerns, isolation and lack of social support.

A total of 1,473 parents and 121 children and young people participated in the survey which took place during June and July.

The survey found that although 74 per cent of parents felt their children were ready to move into the next year of school, 60 per cent of primary school parents and almost 70 per cent of secondary school parents were still concerned about the educational development of their child.

One of the more alarming findings was that 23 per cent of parents of primary school children and 9 per cent of secondary school children said their children spent less than an hour a day learning last year.

Commenting on the survey’s findings, Suzanne Connolly, Barnardos CEO, said there was an additional focus this year on parents’ concerns about the overall development of their children, the impact of home schooling and the adversities families as a whole faced over the past twelve months.

“Our survey found parents and children are generally feeling positive about going back to school in September.

“However, the majority believe their children will need some form of additional support. Unfortunately, 49 per cent of parents are concerned about whether or not their children will be able to access the necessary support,” she said.

Of the 1,473 parents that took part in the survey, more than half said that their families had experienced mental health difficulties over the past twelve months, with 50 per cent reporting tensions at home, 54 per cent experiencing financial concerns, 59 per cent feeling isolated, and 48 per cent feeling that they lacked social support.

Importantly, 29 per cent of parents felt that these difficulties have had a negative impact on their child.

“Children adapt but they also soak everything in like little sponges. They see and hear everything at home, even when we try our best to shelter them from adult conversations. Then they carry this with them on top of their worries and the Covid anxiety,” said one primary school parent.

Another said: “My seven year old has had a total of 18 months desk time in front of a teacher. They’re behind seven months of time and a year of actual learning. They need another year of catch up.”

In addition to concerns for their children, findings show that parents and their families faced increased adversity and difficulties over the past year, particularly those facing disadvantage such as lone parents and unemployed parents.

Barnardos is now calling on the Government to provide additional support for schools and families as the new term begins.

Suzanne Connolly said: “We are calling on the Government to publish promised plans to address the additional educational support needs of children. Schools should be provided the autonomy and flexibility to respond effectively to the individual level of need among children in their school and determine the support required.

“These plans need to be communicated to parents to help ease their concerns and focus on those most impacted by the pandemic and home schooling and those who faced educational disadvantage before lockdown.”