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• Friendship and confidence are amongst the most valuable lessons learnt at school according to parents in Nottingham
• 80% of parents said school helps their child become more confident
• Nottingham parents reveal the top five skills they believe their children develop at school

Friendship and confidence are amongst the most valuable lessons learnt at school according to parents surveyed in Nottingham – and 80% of parents have found school to help with their child’s confidence.

School is where lifelong friendships begin, and more than three quarters (76%) parents said their child’s school friendships extend beyond the classroom, helping to boost their confidence and sense of belonging. Additionally, a similar number (74%) said the social skills their child develops at school have positively influenced their behaviour at home too.

The new research from the Department for Education shows that 85% of Nottingham parents believe children learn valuable social skills at school. Parents highlighted the life lessons children gain beyond traditional subjects, with the top five being:

• Making friends (57%)
• Teamwork (52%)
• Confidence (48%)
• Respect (37%)
• Problem solving (32%)

Nearly three fifths (57%) of parents in Nottingham said their school years were the best years of their lives, and nearly two thirds (65%) are still in touch with friends from school — highlighting the long-term value of positive experiences and strong relationships built at school.

Mark Lowe, Headteacher of Sneinton St Stephen’s C of E Primary School says:

“Every day I see examples of school being about far more than academic achievement. For pupils, it’s an opportunity to build a community, learn how to build friendships, navigate disagreements, and feel a sense of belonging. Through daily interactions with peers and staff, they develop empathy, social skills, and confidence. These skills are just as important as what’s learned in the classroom and stay with children long after they leave school.”

School absence can impact a child’s opportunity to learn these valuable social skills and benefit from these life lessons.

To ensure more children have this opportunity, four high-performing schools in Nottingham have been selected by the Department for Education to run Attendance and Behaviour hubs. These are networks of schools that share effective practice on attendance and behaviour through collaboration, with the aim of delivering better outcomes for children.

They will be supporting thousands of children and families by working closely with other schools in the area to help identify absence early, build strong routines and create positive environments where children feel supported.