One in ten think schools - not parents - should be responsible for children's behaviour

By ELEANOR HARDING, EDUCATION EDITOR Published: 00:02, 29 June 2026 | Updated: 00:02, 29 June 2026 One in ten Britons think schools should be responsible for children's behaviour rather than parents, new polling has found. A survey of 3,000 adults shows 11 per cent think this issue falls under the remit of teachers, despite children spending more time at home than in lessons. The research, from the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) think tank, may help explain why teachers are complaining of a behaviour crisis in classrooms. The CSJ said there has been a 'decline' in 'parental responsibilities', leading to the State having to step in. It said poor parental attitudes to school have become part of the 'degradation' of the 'social fabric' of Britain, adding that the 'social contract has been lost'. Dr Sebastian Milbank, senior researcher at the CSJ said: 'A wave of violence and bad behaviour is ripping through our primary schools, with a growing number of attacks on pupils and teachers. 'A basic social contract has broken down, and too many parents are expecting teachers to parent, rather than teach. 'We need a new and better deal between teachers, parents and kids, one that keeps children safe and learning, and in which home and school act to support one another.' One in ten Britons think schools should be responsible for children's behaviour rather than parents, new polling has found (file picture) It comes after the NASUWT union found 40 per cent of teachers had experienced pupil violence in the last year, while the ASCL union found 60 per cent of heads had suffered 'verbal abuse or threats' from unsupportive parents. The situation has got so bad that ASCL called for a Government campaign to get parents to take more responsibility for their children's actions. The CSJ report said: 'Parents and schools are stuck in mutual mistrust, with stories of parents who refuse to punish children who misbehave at school and schools persecuting families because they disagree with the school's educational philosophy.' The CSJ's nationally representative poll, conducted by JL Partners, also found six per cent of respondents thought schools – not parents – were responsible for children eating breakfast. In addition, three per cent of respondents thought schools were responsible for toilet-training and two per cent said this of teeth-cleaning. While the proportions are small, the fact that some people hold these views may help explain why schools are reporting some children are arriving having not eaten breakfast or cleaned their teeth - and many are unable to use the toilet. A previous survey found about one in four children who started reception in 2025 were not toilet trained. However, the polling also showed the majority of respondents did believe that families, not the State, should raise children, with 85 per cent believing parents were responsible for behaviour. Similarly, 86 per cent thought parents should be feeding children breakfast and 90 per cent said parents should ensure children brush their teeth and are toilet trained. Labour has pledged £30 million to roll out free breakfast clubs this year and has launched a supervised toothbrushing programme in the most deprived areas. But Dr Milbank said: 'When children turn up in Reception year unready for school, without toilet training, or suffering from tooth decay, it isn't their fault, and it's not the school's. 'A basic social responsibility is no longer being met. The message from the Government – that the State can take on the burden instead – is precisely the wrong one. 'Most people do not think that schools, for example, should step in and teach young pupils how to brush their teeth. That's a parent's responsibility.' Last night, a Department for Education spokesman said: 'Schools, parents and government all have responsibilities to make sure kids have the opportunity to get on in life. 'For our part, our reforms are changing the playing field for kids across the country to create a future where your background does not determine success. 'We're expanding breakfast clubs, lifting the two-child benefit cap, and opening a Best Start Family Hub in every local area, while investing in tackling poor pupil behaviour, reforming special educational needs and disabilities (Send) support, and rolling out mental health support teams.' No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. 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