Poor standards of parenting are leaving many schoolchildren unprepared to start school, according to Ofsted chief David Bell.

The Chief Inspector of Schools said that some youngsters faced a disorganised upbringing, with neither proper discipline nor sufficient stimulation.

Warning that verbal and behavioural skills among primary one children was at an all-time low, he said many were unprepared to learn at school and some were unable to speak properly.

Mr Bell said that if children did not start at broadly the same point, there was a concern that the gap could widen as they go through the education system.

He said parents were failing to impose proper discipline in the home and were simply putting children in front of the television instead of talking and playing with them- and that this was leading to poor behaviour in class.

Responding to Mr Bell's comments, the general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers, said he agreed that poor parental support was placing excessive pressure on teachers, giving children a "raw deal".

However, parenting support charity Parentline Plus branded Mr Bell’s comments “unhelpful”.

Parentline Plus Chief Executive Dorit Braun said that the start of the new school term could be very difficult for families and appealed for a “partnership” approach from both parents and teachers to help children deal with changes brought about by the start of the school term.

(SP)