Cash for parents to learn how to support schoolwork

BBC News, November 15, 2013

Parents in two urban areas in England are to be offered money to attend a parenting academy to learn how to support their children’s schoolwork.

Some parents will be paid around £600 to attend all 18 sessions in the trial.

The scheme, for disadvantaged families, will test whether cash can encourage parents to help their children learn.

Brian Lightman, general secretary of the heads’ union ASCL, said parental engagement was a good thing but feared the payments could be seen as a bribe.

“We need to look at different ways of helping parents engage in their children’s learning but I have reservations about simply paying them,” said Mr Lightman.