Parentkind annual report

Parentkind is a national charity giving those with a parenting role a voice in education. Known as the network of PTA fundraisers in the UK, Parentkind also invest substantial resources in representing parent views on their child’s learning to local, regional and national governments believing that parental participation in education benefits all children in all schools and society as a whole.

Parentkind’s Parent Voice Survey tracks parents’ experiences and perceptions of their children’s education and schooling on an annual basis. It covers the views of parents in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The 2022 report marks its eighth year and this year, the survey explores additional areas including academic catch-up support, their child’s mental health and wellbeing at school and the cost of living crisis.

As with Parent Voice Surveys in previous years, much of the outlook is positive. Parents are generally satisfied with their children’s education and keen to play their part, whether it be supporting their child’s learning at home or having their voice heard at school, local/MAT or government level.

The 2022 report highlights that there is work to do for schools to engage better with parents and notes that many parents are unaware how to get their voices heard, the report says:

“Parents clearly want greater recognition and input as stakeholders in their children’s school. However, the 2022 survey suggests that many parents are unaware of the existing avenues they have to get their voices heard. Under two-thirds of parents believe their child’s school has parent representatives on its governing body, despite this being a legal requirement.”