Commenting on Beyond the School Gate, a report by Parentline Plus and the Teacher Support Network, Christine Blower, General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers, the largest teachers' union, said;

"Every school understands the importance of positive home/school relationships, especially where parents and children are in particularly tough circumstances. The report does attempt to be balanced but seems to come down on the side of schools and teachers needing to do more without any real acknowledgement that this would require extra resources.

"There is much that is required of schools that creates unnecessary workload and high levels of stress for teachers. Much of this activity takes away from the time that teachers would like and should have to develop and maintain good relationships with parents, carers and the wider community. Access to a parent support worker is not enough."