'Parents want be more involved in education'

Research from the Department for Children, Schools and Families has suggested that parents want more face-to-face time with their children's teachers.

In findings which may interest those holding teaching jobs, the study reported that half of parents feel that they are involved with their child's education, with 65 per cent saying that they would like to become more involved.

Also discovered in the study was that parents would prefer regular informal chats with teachers over parents' evenings, with those in favour of the events dropping from 43 per cent to 19 per cent.

Speaking at the Parent Know How event in central London, Ed Balls, schools secretary, said: "I believe parents' evening will always play an important role - but in today's complex world we need to help parents keep up-to-date in the way and at a time that suits them."

On the back of the research, the Children's Plan was also outlined, which will increase the amount of communication between parents and teachers and provide regular updates on children's progress through school.

In 2006, Jacqui Smith, then-schools minister, called for parents to become "true partners in their children's education," according to the Literacy Trust.