Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether his Department is taking to encourage parents to help their children with their homework and education.

Teachers are best placed to determine the homework that best supports pupils in their education. Whilst parental support is important if their children are to gain maximum benefit, homework is generally designed to foster independent study.

Ultimately, the responsibility for a child’s education is a shared one. Parental involvement makes an important difference, from the very earliest stage. In the early years, parents can support their child’s development through, for example, storytelling, reading or singing together. In the school years, parents should take a full interest in their children’s education. Parents also have an important role in developing their children’s character traits such as conscientiousness, drive and perseverance, to help them succeed both in and out of school.