# Parents want to help at school but can't afford to

> Time pressures and rising costs are stopping families from getting involved in their children's education.
- Title: Parents want to help at school but can't afford to | Shortify
- Summary: Time pressures and rising costs are stopping families from getting involved in their children's education. 59% of parents feel involved in their child's…
- Keywords: parentkind, national parent survey 2026, yougov, uk schools, education costs, parental engagement, school trips, home learning, enrichment activities, department for education, school clubs, household income
- Source: MadeForMums — https://madeformums.com/news/family-news/parents-feel-less-involved-in-education-as-families-struggle-with-school-costs-survey-finds
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: parentkind, national parent survey 2026, yougov, uk schools, education costs, parental engagement, school trips, home learning, enrichment activities, department for education, school clubs, household income
## Parents feel shut out of schools
Only 59% of parents say they feel involved in their child's education, down from 80% in 2023. Yet 85% want to play a bigger role.
## Poor families feel most excluded
74% of parents in affluent households feel involved, compared with just 46% in the poorest households. London parents feel most connected at 76%.
## Time is the biggest barrier
44% of parents say lack of time stops them getting involved. Another 21% haven't been asked to help, and 13% don't know what they could offer.
## Schools aren't explaining home learning
Almost one in five parents say their school doesn't give clear information about supporting learning at home. Secondary schools are worse than primary.
## School communication is getting worse
65% say their school communicates well, down from 71% in 2023. Only 40% believe their school acts on parent feedback.
## Families struggle with school costs
Almost a quarter of parents have struggled to pay school costs, while three in 10 cut back elsewhere to cover them. Half of poor families have struggled.
## Cost keeps kids off school trips
38% of children didn't go on a school trip last year. For 16% of families, cost was the reason they stayed home.
## A quarter miss out on clubs
One in four children don't do any enrichment activities. Three in 10 parents say cost is the barrier, while a fifth say their child is too busy.
## Parents want tech and swimming clubs
35% want schools to offer coding and science clubs, but only 22% say their school does. 32% want swimming lessons, but just 19% have access.
## Key takeaway

59% of parents feel involved in their child's education, down from 80% in 2023, with time and money being the biggest barriers.