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Written question asked by Shivani Raja (Conservative) on Monday, 12 October 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 14 October 2026. It was answered by Georgia Gould (Labour) on Tuesday, 20 October 2026 on behalf of the Department for Education.

Schools: Parents

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to Parentkind's report entitled The National Parent Survey 2026, what steps her Department is taking to reduce the engagement gap between lower- and higher-income families.

Answer

The schools white paper, ‘Every child achieving and thriving’, sets out the government’s commitment to ensuring families are partners in their children’s education.

All parents should have the opportunity to engage fully in their children’s learning and development. Strong partnerships between schools and families benefit every child and can be particularly important for children from disadvantaged backgrounds.

The department is working with stakeholders to co-create minimum expectations for parental engagement. These will establish clear principles for schools, alongside clear and proportionate expectations for parents. We will support schools to put these principles into practice by sharing promising approaches and practical tools, drawing on the work of effective schools and trusts.

Most families want to be more involved in their children’s learning, but not all parents feel equally equipped to support their children’s development at home. We are therefore assessing the feasibility and appropriateness of developing a digital parents’ hub that would offer accessible, age-appropriate support and advice.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
33622
Session
2026-27
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Low incomes Parents Schools
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk