Parent Voice Project launches latest report
Public First
The Parent Voice Project (PVP) has today published a new report, How Parents Engage With Schools.
Nearly two thirds of parents believe their children are using AI to help them with their homework, according to the new research.
The number has significantly jumped in less than a year. In the PVP’s 2025 poll 47 per cent of parents believed AI was being used, but when the same question was asked just 10 months later, that figure had climbed to 57 per cent.
The polling also found that the use of AI for homework varies significantly across the country with Londoners having higher usage than other regions and, similarly, families with graduate parents are also more likely to see AI being used.
This is a key takeaway from the third report by the Parent Voice Project, published today. Other findings dig into other communication channels between parents and schools:
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71 per cent of parents are content with how much schools communicate with them.
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Just 13 per cent say they are ‘regularly’ asked for their views on how the school is run. A further 42 per cent say they are asked ‘occasionally’, while 43 per cent say they are ‘rarely’ or ‘never’ asked for feedback.
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Some 48 per cent of parents have raised a concern or complaint, but a staggering 78 per cent are confident it would be taken seriously if they were to do so.
In the focus groups that formed part of the PVP research programme, parents reported confusion and uncertainty over the use of AI for homework.
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“I’ve let my son do it a couple of times with subjects I know he’s not going to do well in. So if it’s philosophy, [using AI] is just easy and he can just get it done.”
- Father from Birmingham in Social Grade C with children aged 14 and 16
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“AI is really scary because it’s not always right and I think kids are using it. But when they’re in an exam environment… they can’t use it.”
- Mother from Birmingham in Social Grade B with a child aged 16
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"I found out at one point that my daughter was just taking a picture [of her homework] and [the AI] was just giving her the answer."
- Father from Birmingham in Social Grade C with children aged 12, 10 and 6
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"Yeah. My lad uses it. He basically just doctors a few words around that look a bit suspicious"
- Father from Birmingham in Social Grade C with children aged 16 and 6
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“In our workplace we’re being told to use AI – and that going forward those who can use it will have jobs that are a bit more secure. And yet we’re trying to stop children using it and use their brain. Getting that balance right is difficult.”
- Mother from Birmingham in Social Grade B with a child
Fiona Forbes, Founder of the Parent Voice Project, said:
“What parents are evidently telling us is that both they and their children, like the rest of society, are struggling to work out the best use of AI.
The staggering jump in its use suggest that the school system needs to get across this challenge as soon as possible – and start working with parents on advice and guidance – or the whole idea of homework will soon be worse than useless.”
On the subject of parental complaints, the PVP founder added: “Our date really shines a light on the relationship between parents and schools. Of course, many mums, dads and carers will have occasional reason to bring something up with their school – that is only natural – but what is really interesting here is how most parents don’t think this is necessarily a bad thing. Indeed, most expect their concerns to be taken seriously.
This is in line with the key finding from our first report: that overwhelmingly parents are pleased with the education being offered by their children’s school.”
Notes to Editors:
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Full report available at: theparentvoiceproject.org.uk
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How Parents Engage With Schools is by the Parent Voice Project in partnership with Public First.
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For more details, please contact Ed Dorrell or via email at [email protected].
About the Parent Voice Project
The Parent Voice Project is an independent initiative established to provide a clearer, more representative understanding of what parents think about education in England. Through large-scale polling and in-depth qualitative research, the project seeks to bring parents’ experiences into national education debates in a balanced and constructive way. The work is guided by three principles: being constructive, inclusive, and evidence-led. The Parent Voice Project is delivered in partnership with Public First.
About Public First
Public First is a policy, research, opinion and strategy consultancy. We work with global companies, universities, governments, start-ups, institutions and foundations around the world to tackle major public policy and strategic challenges. The Public First Education Team works with sector bodies, mission groups, individual universities, multi-academy trusts and policy institutions that engage with education. Public First is a member of the British Polling Council, and company partners of the Market Research Society. We are committed to transparent and ethical research.