Schools "taking place of family"

Primary children are having to be taught basic manners and communication skills, headteachers have warned.

Schools are increasingly taking the place of the family in teaching children social skills.

"In terms of good manners and appropriate behaviour, primary schools have to teach children how to use a knife and fork and sit at a table,” said general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, John Dunford.

"In relation to the family, one of the most important factors has been the loss of the family meal, which has reduced family conversation so that schools have more to do in teaching children to communicate,” he said.

Speaking at the Association’s annual conference Dr Dunford said that school’s “can’t an shouldn’t replace the role of parents” and that the job of schools had become more difficult than ever.