A startling snapshot of modern family life suggests the classroom has become a daily struggle for today’s parents – with nearly three in ten now claiming their child has special educational needs.
According to new research, 29% of primary and secondary school parents place their child in the “SEN” category – a figure many will find hard to reconcile with classrooms of decades past.
Of those, the majority (53%) say their child has autism, while 43% report ADHD. Anxiety affects 28%, dyslexia 18% and dyspraxia 6%, according to the survey.
And parents are far from convinced the system is coping. A striking 70% of those with SEN children insist a one size fits all approach does not work anymore, while 81% say the “bums on seats from 9am to 3pm” model is outdated and old fashioned.
For many families, the strain is clear: 22% said the school system does not work at all for their child, while 46% say it’s sometimes a struggle. Fixed routines are a major sticking point, with 43 percent of parents with SEN kids finding the rigid structure and timetables make it hard for their children to learn.
Discontent stretches well beyond SEN households. Some 61% of all parents (with SEN and non SEN children) feel their child struggles with today’s education system, which was formed over 200 years ago during the Victorian era.
Wolsey Hall Oxford
The research, commissioned by online homeschooling provider Wolsey Hall Oxford, is now urging the Department of Education to reform the current education system, calling for more flexible learning options tailored to each child rather than forcing children to adapt to unsuitable models.
Flexibility is fast becoming a key demand. Nearly half of parents (47%), rising to 50% among SEN parents, believe a more flexible education system would better support their child’s wellbeing and academic success. Similarly, 44% (increasing to 51% of SEN parents) say greater flexibility in how and when children learn would be beneficial.
Parents are also calling for different approaches in the classroom, with 62% favouring small group teaching amid concerns of growing class sizes, 40% backing project-based learning and 26% supporting a blended model of classroom and online education, reflecting the hybrid working patterns many parents now follow post-pandemic.
Many parents report that children are easily distracted (40%), become bored quickly (27%), dislike speaking in front of their peers (22%) and feel their learning is not tailored to their individual needs (17%).
Reflecting this, 78% of parents, rising to 80% among SEN parents, believe their child would benefit more from hands-on, experiential learning rather than spending the day at a desk. Over half (54%) say they would prefer a more practical approach to education.
Almost all (99%) of parents would like their child to have more opportunities to explore the world beyond the classroom, while 48% feel their child’s skills are not being applied in real-life situations. Meanwhile, one in three (32%) believe the curriculum is outdated or irrelevant, and 30% say it is too repetitive.
Gavin McLean, Principal at Wolsey Hall Oxford, said: “Today’s education system still reflects a model first set up over 200 years ago, designed to fit the needs of parents who were factory workers, but children are not products on an assembly line.
“An education system should adapt to the child, nurturing their individuality, curiosity, and pace of learning, not force the child to conform to a rigid system that was never built for them. The fact many are forced through this outdated system throughout their younger years is a national crisis and one we are urging the Department of Education to address for all students and teaching practitioners.
“Homeschooling is increasingly seen as a popular alternative, giving parents the freedom to create a more personalised, flexible environment where children can truly engage through hands-on learning, real-world experiences, and the time and space to build confidence without pressure.
“As our research shows, many parents are already questioning whether the mainstream education system is the right fit. Exploring alternatives like homeschooling or a hybrid model of studying at home and in a physical school environment can open up new opportunities for children to thrive, develop independence and foster a genuine love of learning that stays with them for life.”
Looking ahead, parents are calling for a broader, more practical curriculum. Top priorities include first aid and CPR (64%), financial literacy (63%) and mental health and stress management (62%). Other areas highlighted include cooking and meal planning (57%), basic household maintenance (52%), interview skills (46%), identifying misinformation (33%), understanding tax (32%) and gardening (31%).
The research of 2,000 parents of children aged between 5 and 18 was commissioned by Wolsey Hall Oxford and conducted by Perspectus Global in March 2026 – and suggests a growing number of families feel the traditional school model is no longer fit for purpose.
