Northern Ireland Parent Surveys: Experiences of Supporting Children's Home Learning during Covid-19

In response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, schools in Northern Ireland have been closed since 23rd March. As partners in the education process, parents have a pivotal role in supporting children’s learning and a number of arrangements have been put in place to support home-schooling during this time.
Three surveys were developed and distributed to parents of pupils attending primary, post-primary and special schools. The surveys sought to gather information on parents’ familiarity with, and confidence in, supporting learning; communications
between home and school; the challenges of home-schooling; and to identify key messages for education planning and decision-making moving forward. A total of 4,612 surveys, covering all post code areas, were returned.
Key messages emerging from the surveys are indicative of cross-cutting opportunities for educational transformation that blend existing and new knowledge and skills. These include fresh
consideration of the shape of the education system; effective school-parent partnerships; the skills base of teachers; digital and communication networks; pupils with special educational needs; assessment; and the role of educational research.