Schools 'can aid home learning by providing support for parents'
Schools can help young children to experience a more rounded education by offering support for parents.
This is according to a new study from the Sutton Trust and the University of Oxford, which enrolled 18 schools in Greater Manchester to train staff to work more closely with parents and support them in helping their children to learn.
Disadvantaged, pupil-premium eligible children were prioritised for inclusion in the study, which saw schools provide parents with activities and resources to support their child's learning at home, including finger puppets, tambourines and books.
It was shown that this intervention led to a significant impact on the child's home learning environment, with children taking part in more learning activities and most schools reporting improvements in their pupils' academic progress.
Moreover, 94 per cent of participating schools said they had gained confidence and skills in working with parents through the implementation of the project, with schools also seeing a longer-term impact on the motivation and ability of staff to work with parents.
The result also indicated that of the 84 families involved in the project, 72 were retained throughout the project, with this initial engagement leading to continued involvement by these families with the school.
Sir Peter Lampl, chairman of the Sutton Trust and the Education Endowment Foundation, said: "We know that the attainment gap between the richest and the poorest pupils begins before they've even started school. Tackling this gap early on is critical to breaking the cycle of disadvantage and improving social mobility."
Prior Sutton Trust research has offered evidence of a 19-month gap in development between the most and least advantaged children at five, with this representing a strong predictor of future outcomes in not only education, but also health, wealth and wellbeing.
Sign up to posts
Related jobs
Salary
£92 - 94 per day
Location free text
West Sussex
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
SEND Support
Location
West Sussex
Description
SEN Teaching Assistant – Primary School Location: Worthing, West Sussex Start Date: September 2026 Hours: Full-time, Term Time Only Pay: Competitive daily rate, dependent on experienceAre you passiona
Reference
SEND TA
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Brighton SENAuthor
Brighton SENSalary
£92 - 94 per day
Location free text
West Worthing
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
SEMH
Location
West Sussex
Description
Teaching Assistant – Alternative Provision Location: Worthing, West Sussex Start Date: September 2026 Hours: Full-time, Term Time Only Pay: Competitive daily rate, dependent on experienceWe are seekin
Reference
Behav Worthing
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Brighton SENAuthor
Brighton SENSalary
£168.80 - 232.40 per day
Location free text
Dorchester
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
Teacher
Location
Dorset
Description
KS2 Teacher – Full-Time Opportunity | Bridport A welcoming and ambitious primary school in Bridport is seeking to appoint a dedicated and enthusiastic Key Stage 2 Teacher to join their team from Sept
Reference
tch / brid 2
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Dorset PrimaryAuthor
Dorset PrimarySalary
£168.80 - 232.40 per day
Location free text
Bridport
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
Teacher
Location
Dorset
Description
KS2 Teacher – Full-Time Opportunity | Bridport A welcoming and ambitious primary school in Bridport is seeking to appoint a dedicated and enthusiastic Key Stage 2 Teacher to join their team from Sept
Reference
tch / brid/ sept
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Dorset PrimaryAuthor
Dorset PrimarySalary
£95 - 110 per day
Location free text
Stoke-on-Trent
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
£200 - £299 per day
Sector
KS1 - Year 2
Location
Staffordshire
Description
KS1 Primary Teacher – Full Academic Year Location: Stoke-on-Trent Start Date: September 2026 Contract: Full-time, full academic year (until July 2027) Salary: Competitive (dependent on experience)
Reference
67193818
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Manchester North SecondaryAuthor
Manchester North SecondarySalary
£92.63 - 110.00 per day
Location free text
Beccles
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£20 - £29 per hour
Sector
SEN General
Location
Suffolk
Description
SEN Teaching Assistant – Immediate StartAre you passionate about supporting children with Special Educational Needs? We are currently recruiting for a dedicated and compassionate SEN Teaching Assistan
Reference
ATSENTABecclesCVLib
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Salary
£92.63 - 110.00 per day
Location free text
Lowestoft
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£20 - £29 per hour
Sector
SEN General
Location
Suffolk
Description
SEN Teaching Assistant – Full Time Opportunity | Lowestoft | Immediate StartAre you a dedicated and resilient SEN Teaching Assistant looking for a rewarding full-time role in Lowestoft?We are seeking
Reference
ATSENTALoweCVLib
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Salary
£14.25 - 14.50 per hour
Location free text
Preston
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
SEN General
Location
Lancashire
Description
Ad-Hoc SEN Teaching AssistantPreston & surrounding areas, Flexible work available, Competitive daily pay, Immediate StartA variety of specialist settings in Preston are looking for reliable, caring, a
Reference
22.06.2026 PR1
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Lancashire SENAuthor
Lancashire SENSalary
£90 - 93 per day
Location free text
Verwood
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
Teaching Assistant
Location
Dorset
Description
1:1 Teaching Assistant – KS1 | Verwood A welcoming and supportive primary school in Verwood is seeking to appoint a dedicated and compassionate 1:1 Teaching Assistant to join their team from Septembe
Reference
ta/verwood
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Dorset PrimaryAuthor
Dorset PrimarySalary
£14.25 - 14.25 per hour
Location free text
Weymouth
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
Teaching Assistant
Location
Weymouth
Description
Teaching Assistant Full Time | September Start Weymouth, DorsetWe are seeking to appoint a caring, enthusiastic and committed Teaching Assistant to join our welcoming and forward-thinking secondary sc
Reference
weyTA2
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Dorset & Hants SecondaryAuthor
Dorset & Hants SecondaryRelated posts
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD05YY
Summary
Exams are one of the most stressful times in the academic year, and it isn’t only pupils who feel the pressure. For teaching assistants (TAs) and support staff, exam season brings new expectations
by
Adam Davies
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD05YY
Summary
If you’re considering taking the next step in education, you’re not alone. More teachers and support staff are exploring permanent roles that offer stability, progression, and a sense of belonging
by
Adam Davies
Teaser
People & CultureContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD05YY
Summary
As Teaching Personnel marks 30 years, Danielle shares her experience of building a career with the company over the past 11 years. She's completed an apprenticeship, managed a branch and w
Teaser
People & CultureContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD04YY
Summary
Patrick highlights a decade of his work as Teaching Personnel celebrates a milestone of 10 years.He's built relationships with schools and his own management style to successfully run a branch
Teaser
People & CultureContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD04YY
Summary
As Teaching Personnel celebrates 30 years, we hear from Senior Branch Manager, Hannah James, who reflects on her time with us these past 11 years. The impact we have on our schools and educat
Teaser
People & CultureContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD04YY
Summary
As Teaching Personnel marks 30 years, Vicky shares her experience of building a career with the company over the past 11 years.She joined as a trainee recruitment consultant and has become an
Teaser
People & CultureContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD04YY
Summary
As we celebrate 30 years of making difference, get to know Rebecca who has worked at Teaching Personnel for nearly a decade. Being able to support schools and help place the right educators
Teaser
People & CultureContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD04YY
Summary
As Teaching Personnel celebrates its 30-year anniversary, Jenny reflects on a decade of working at Teaching Personnel.From starting as a teaching assistant to overseeing multiple branches, her
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD04YY
Summary
Gemma joined the Future Teachers Programme shortly after graduating. Now in a permanent teaching position, she reflects on how the programme shaped her classroom experience and supp
Teaser
People & CultureContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD04YY
Summary
Discover Ben Whittle’s role and find out about his impact within the Future Teachers Programme Read more How long have you been with Teaching Personnel and where are
Register with us
for work in schools across England & Wales
Register today
Recent job