Brighton parents have greater appreciation of teachers since coronavirus restrictions began

New research reveals more than eight in ten parents in Brighton have developed a greater appreciation for teachers since coronavirus restrictions began, as more than one in five admit they previously rarely considered the role teachers play in society.
SUS-200520-085741001SUS-200520-085741001
SUS-200520-085741001

The findings coincide with national Thank a Teacher Day (Wednesday 20 May), which will see children and their families are joining forces to #ThankATeacher by sharing videos thanking the teachers and school staff who improve their lives.

More than eight in 10 (84%) parents in Brighton who responded to the survey agree that over the course of the coronavirus restrictions they have developed a greater appreciation for the job teachers do, and nearly eight in 10 (78%) agree teachers nationwide have gone “above and beyond” over this period.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Based on their experience supporting home education, almost all parents in Brighton agreed that being a teacher requires a lot of patience (98%), and keeping young people engaged in learning takes a lot of creativity (92%).

The Thank A Teacher campaign, run by The Teaching Awards Trust, is calling on children and their families to join forces today to thank the teachers and school staff who go above and beyond and profoundly impact their lives.

Some of the biggest challenges parents in Brighton identify when supporting their child with home learning include:

61% find it hard to keep their child motivated to complete work set;

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

57% find it hard to keep their child engaged in the work they are doing;

31% find it hard to help their child with work they don’t understand; and

16% find it hard to come up with creative ways to make subjects interesting.

Nine in 10 (90%) parents surveyed in Brighton are grateful to the teachers who positively influence their child, day in day out. Children themselves also seem appreciative, as more than seven in 10 (71%) parents say their child is missing their schoolteacher and being in lessons while schools are closed to the majority of pupils.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Steve Munby, Chair of the Teaching Awards Trust, said: “We have always known the incredible lengths that teachers and other school staff go to for their students, and these results show how much parents have grown to appreciate this work.

“This annual campaign is our opportunity to thank the incredible teachers, lecturers and other staff who keep our schools running, who inspire wonder on a daily basis, and who do everything in their power to give our young people the best possible education, whatever the circumstances.”

Minister for School Standards Nick Gibb said: “Teachers, head teachers and support staff have shown outstanding professionalism and commitment during these challenging times.

“They are doing an incredible job in finding innovative ways to continue young people’s education at home, be it through online lessons, set work or motivating phone calls with pupils.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Now as we prepare for more young people returning to school, and as the country takes careful steps towards recovery, teachers and support staff are playing a vital role in ensuring children continue their education in these unprecedented times.”

Using the hashtags #HowWillYouSayThankYou and #ThankATeacher, pupils and their families are being asked to come up with their own creative messages of thanks to celebrate their teachers and wider school staff, for example by singing songs, reading poems and recording video clips.

An inspirational teacher makes all the difference. Find out how to share your appreciation for a teacher you know by visiting: thankateacher.co.uk.

Related topics: