Parents say school system needs an overhaul to serve their children's needs

Parents say school system needs an overhaul to serve their children's needsA survey of 2,000 parents has found two-thirds believe the current UK education system no longer works for their child, with calls for urgent reform and more flexible learning optionsCommentsLifestylePiers Eady06:00, 17 Apr 2026View 3 ImagesMore than half of parents think the school system needs an overhaul, a survey has shown(Image: Getty Images/Image Source)More than half of British parents believe the existing education system needs an overhaul to cater for their child's needs.‌A poll shows that 60% of parents feel their child struggles with the limited flexibility of the education system. Concerns run even deeper amongst parents of children with Special Educational Needs (SEN).‌The survey found that 81% of parents of children with dyslexia, dyspraxia, autism or ADHD say the current model is outdated, while nearly three quarters of all parents surveyed believe a "one size fits all" approach is no longer fit for purpose.‌Nearly half of parents surveyed believe a more adaptable education system would better support their child's wellbeing and academic achievement.READ MORE: What your child needs to be able to do before reception - from toilet training to sleepREAD MORE: One simple thing parents can do to make children 'more ready' for schoolView 3 ImagesMany British parents believe the school system needs an overhaul(Image: South Wales Echo)Parents would also like different approaches to learning, with 62% favouring small group teaching amid worries over increasing class sizes, 40% supporting project-based learning and 26% backing a blended model of classroom and online education, mirroring the hybrid working patterns many parents now follow post-pandemic.‌Nearly three quarters of parents (71%) now regard the traditional 9–3, five-day school model as outdated. Reflecting this, over half (55%) have contemplated homeschooling, rising to 73% amongst families w...