Education

Texting parents boosts kids’ results

Published

10 years ago

August 25, 2016

EEF Chair: Sir Peter Lampl

HELPING parents to engage in their child’s learning by texting them about upcoming tests or homework deadlines can boost secondary school pupils’ maths results by the equivalent of an extra month in the classroom, according to the results of a new trial published by the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF).

Almost 16,000 students in 36 English secondary schools took part in the randomised controlled trial of the Parent Engagement Project, delivered by researchers from the University of Bristol and Harvard University.

Parents were sent an average of 30 texts over one school year (roughly one per week) with content ranging from dates of upcoming tests and warnings about missed homework, to conversation prompts on what their child had learnt that day.

The independent evaluators from Queen’s University Belfast found that pupils receiving the intervention made an additional month’s progress in maths compared with a similar group whose parents didn’t get the texts. Absenteeism was reduced too. They reported that schools embraced the programme and a vast majority of parents were supportive of the programme including the content, frequency and timing of texts.

Pupils receiving the intervention made an additional month’s progress in maths.

PARENTAL

ENGAGEMENT VITAL

Previous research has shown that while parental engagement is an effective way of improving attainment, little is known about how to do this successfully – and, in particular, how to reach parents whose own experiences of s c h o o l s were not positive. At a maximum cost to schools of just £6 per pupil across the school year, today’s results suggest that texting parents could be a straightforward and cost-effective way of improving attainment through parental engagement.

The approach is likely to be even cheaper than this as most schools will already have the required texting software and messages can be free if parents have downloaded the relevant software (which is also free) onto their smartphones.

Evaluations of two more trials designed to find out what does and doesn’t work when it comes to engaging parents are also published by the EEF this week. In contrast to the light-touch approach of the Parent Engagement Project, both aimed to engage parents through face-to-face programmes:

Parent Academy, delivered by researchers from the University of Chicago and evaluated by NatCen, offered parents the opportunity to participate in 12 classes over the course of an academic year. The sessions were designed to equip them with the skills to support their child’s learning in numeracy and literacy.

SUPPORT GIVEN TO PARENTS

SPOKES (Supporting Parents on Kids’ Education in Schools), delivered by Plymouth Parent Partnership and the University of Oxford, and evaluated by the Institute for Effective Education, gave parents of five and six year old struggling readers 10 group sessions to help them support their children’s learning at home.

Both independent evaluations reported that, for a number of different reasons, the interventions struggled to persuade parents to attend regularly. While they did not find evidence of impact for all children, both delivered valuable findings.

One of the aims of the Parenting Academy trial was to find out whether financial incentives could be successful in changing parents’ behaviours and improving their attendance. Some of the parents were paid £30 to attend each session. For these parents, attendance was much higher, suggesting that financial incentives may be an effective way to engage and retain parents in interventions of this type.

ACTIVITIES IMPROVE

SOCIAL SKILLS

The EEF has also published the results of another large-scale randomised controlled trial, the first designed to find out if taking part in groups like the Scout Association, Sea Cadets or St John Ambulance can have an impact on exam results as well as on wider life skills.

Delivered by the Youth United Foundation, 7,781 children in 71 schools took part in this trial of Youth Social Action. The evaluators from Durham University found that the students benefited from a small positive impact in reported skills such as self-confidence and teamwork. They found no evidence that there was any benefit for academic skills, but problems with the quality of data means that this result is not conclusive.

Sir Peter Lampl, Chairman of the Education Endowment Foundation and of the Sutton Trust, said: “We know that your chances of doing well in life are only partially shaped by your academic attainment, essential life skills such as confidence, articulacy, working with others and social skills play a crucial role. Yet we know very little about how to develop these attributes in children.

“There is a belief that taking part in activities like Scouts helps to build the essential skills young people increasingly need to be successful in life, so it is encouraging to see that the young people taking part in the trial of Youth Social Action, which include Sea Cadets, Fire Cadets and Scouts, reported an increase in their confidence and team-working skills.”

Education

Parents urged to rally as final decision looms over Ysgol Clydau

Published

3 days ago

May 26, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Campaigners call for supporters to attend ‘crucial’ County Hall meeting in bid to save village school

SUPPORTERS fighting to save Ysgol Clydau are urging parents, children and members of the community to gather at County Hall in Haverfordwest next month as councillors prepare to make a final decision on the school’s future.

The grassroots campaign group Save Ysgol Clydau – Cadw Clydau yn Gadarn has called on as many people as possible to attend an extraordinary meeting on Monday, June 15, describing it as a “crucial” moment in the battle to keep the school open.

Campaigners are asking supporters to gather outside County Hall from 9:00am ahead of the meeting, which is due to begin at 10:00am.

In a public appeal shared online, organisers said the day would likely be emotional regardless of the outcome, but stressed the importance of showing a united front.

A spokesperson for the campaign said: “We need as many parents, children, and supporters as possible at County Hall, Haverfordwest to help save our school.

“A final decision will be made. Please do your very best to attend and stand with our community.

“It will be an emotional day, whatever the outcome — but together we can show the county and the country that we are here, united, and determined to be heard.”

The campaign has become a rallying point for local families concerned about the future of education in rural communities, with supporters arguing that closing the school would have a lasting impact on village life and young children.

Promotional material shared by the group encourages families to bring children and “their voices” to the demonstration, with campaigners insisting: “Together we are stronger.”

The Herald understands the meeting is expected to draw strong local interest, with campaigners hoping a large turnout could influence councillors ahead of what may be a decisive vote.

Ysgol Clydau has been at the centre of an ongoing debate about the future of smaller rural schools in Pembrokeshire, with supporters arguing the school plays a vital role at the heart of the community.

The meeting takes place at County Hall, Haverfordwest, on Monday, June 15, with supporters gathering from 9:00am.

Education

UWTSD Summer Degree Shows celebrate emerging creative talent

Published

3 days ago

May 26, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Students recognised as exhibitions and performances continue across Wales and beyond

THE UNIVERSITY OF WALES Trinity Saint David has celebrated the work of emerging artists, designers and performers through its annual Summer Degree Shows.

The exhibitions and performances, held during May and continuing into the summer, showcase final-year projects from students across a wide range of creative disciplines, including Fine Art, Graphic Design, Surface Pattern and Textiles, Photography, Illustration, Automotive and Transport Design, Acting and Adventure Filmmaking.

Events have taken place across Swansea, Carmarthen, Cardiff and London, with major showcases held at Swansea College of Art’s Dynevor and Alex buildings. Performances have also been staged at Yr Egin in Carmarthen, with further exhibitions planned at national venues.

A key part of the celebrations was the annual prize-giving ceremony at Dynevor in Swansea, where students were recognised for outstanding achievement.

Aimiee Brown and Branwen Jones received the Elysium Sculpture Award, with two £500 prizes presented for excellence in sculptural practice.

The Hayden John James Prize awarded £1,000 prizes to undergraduate student Tilly Lewis and postgraduate student Andrew T Gardiner.

Surface Pattern student Samantha McGrath received the Elizabeth Jeffries Prize, while Cel Hopkins was awarded the Josef Herman Carolyn Davies Prize, presented by the Josef Herman Foundation.

Illustration student Morgan Stevens received the Rhys Bevan Jones Illustration Prize, while Seren Trodden was recognised twice, receiving both an Old Dyvorians Association President Prize and the Mission Gallery Makers Award in collaboration with the Jane Phillips Award.

Other Old Dyvorians Association President Prizes went to Bella Watkins, Rhiannon Hughes, Adam Mayhew, Emi Joy and Becca May.

Jewellery student Jessica Theobald received the ACJ College Jewellery Prize, which includes membership of the Association for Contemporary Jewellery, while Photography student Carys Bristowe-Davies received the Sarah Tierney Award, offering mentoring and access to workshops at Swansea College of Art.

Dr Mark Cocks, Dean of UWTSD’s Wales Institute for Science and Art, said: “The Summer Degree exhibitions celebrate the inspirational creative talents of our students.

“The innovation and diversity of the student work is testament to their dedication and creative application of their personal practice. These shows are the culmination of academic study, but also the beginning of professional creative journeys.”

Caroline Thraves, Academic Director for Art and Media at UWTSD’s Swansea College of Art, said the shows provided students with an important professional platform.

She added: “Hosting the Summer Shows is a vital part of our mission at UWTSD. It gives our students a professional platform to share their creativity with the world, celebrates their hard work, and connects them with the industries they are about to enter.”

Lynne Seymour, Academic Director for Design and Performing Industries, said this year’s programme was particularly significant as the university marks 25 years since the first graduates from its Set Design and Production course.

She said: “These exhibitions and performances represent not only the culmination of years of hard work, collaboration and artistic exploration, but also the beginning of many professional creative journeys.”

The Summer Shows continue throughout the season, including Architecture, Engineering and Computing exhibitions at UWTSD’s Swansea Waterfront campus, performances from WAVDA students at Yr Egin and in Cardiff, exhibitions at New Designers and Copeland Gallery in London, and Automotive and Transport Design showcases at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in July.

Community

Pembrokeshire adventurer Tori James named National Learn Welsh Ambassador

Published

7 days ago

May 23, 2026

Richard Lewis

AS THE NATIONAL Centre for Learning Welsh celebrates its highest ever number of learners – over 20,000 in 2024–2025 – it has announced a new ambassadors scheme with the aim of inspiring even more people to learn, use and enjoy the Welsh language.

The Learn Welsh Ambassadors Scheme will be launched today (May 23) at the Urdd Eisteddfod on Anglesey, as part of the Eisteddfod’s ‘Learners’ Day’ celebrations.

Four high-profile ambassadors have been appointed to the new scheme:

Aleighcia Scott – singer and DJ, and one of the mentors on S4C’s talent show Y Llais, who will also be honoured with the Green robe at Eisteddfod Genedlaethol y Garreg Las in August.
Tori James – adventurer and the first Welsh woman to climb Mount Everest.
Katie Owen – DJ and social media influencer.
Ian Gwyn Hughes – Head of Public Relations at the Football Association of Wales.

The four ambassadors will represent the Centre, sharing their personal experiences of the Welsh language, and promoting the work of the Learn Welsh sector. They will also support recruitment campaigns, encouraging people from all backgrounds to begin learning Welsh, or to continue their language journey.

The scheme reflects the Centre’s vision to attract and support a wide range of audiences to learn and use Welsh, including workforces, communities, key sectors such as Health and Social Care, the Education Workforce and Sport, young people and families.

The Centre is launching the scheme at the Urdd Eisteddfod. It works in partnership with the Urdd to provide a range of opportunities for the organisation’s staff, and the young people using its services, to strengthen their Welsh language skills or to begin learning the language.

The Centre is also pleased to support the Urdd’s medals for young Welsh learners, the Bobi Jones Medal for learners aged 19 years’ old and above, and the Learners’ Medal for learners aged under 19 years.

Dona Lewis, Chief Executive of the National Centre for Learning Welsh, said: “Creating new Welsh speakers is the Centre’s main aim, supporting them to use and enjoy the language with confidence in their everyday lives.

“I’m pleased to say the Learn Welsh sector is going from strength to strength, with more people than ever completing our courses.

“We’re delighted to welcome a group of passionate ambassadors who will share their experiences of the Welsh language and help promote and celebrate our work. We’re proud to launch this new scheme at the Urdd Eisteddfod, one of our partners.

“The Centre works creatively and in partnership across different sectors, providing one, single learning pathway to becoming a Welsh speaker. We are all here to welcome and support our learners and new speakers at every stage of their language journey.”

Aleighcia Scott said: “I’m delighted to take part in this scheme. Learning Welsh has been an important personal journey for me, and it has opened new doors – both creatively and socially.”

Tori James said: “Learning a new skill can be a bit like climbing a mountain – it can be a challenge, but every small step is a success!

“I’m very pleased to have the opportunity to support people to take their first step into learning Welsh, and to keep going – it’s a journey well worth taking.”

Katie Owen said: “I’d always wanted to learn Welsh, and it has been the best thing I’ve done. The Welsh-speaking community is so welcoming, and the National Centre for Learning Welsh offers so many opportunities to learn and use the language.”

Ian Gwyn Hughes said: “Welsh belongs to all of us, and it has been fantastic to see the positive response to our use of the language at the Football Association of Wales. I look forward to supporting the Centre’s work to extend the use of Welsh in all kinds of contexts.”