- Following from CBeebies Parenting, BBC Children’s & Education’s new offering continues to support families, not just through their early years but across their whole school life.
- New resources help parents support learning from primary to secondary
- 1 in 5 parents say they are not confident supporting their teenager during revision
BBC Bitesize, the UK’s number one trusted education brand, is now the home of Bitesize Parenting, a new service from BBC Children’s & Education to support parents through their children’s education from primary school to right through to exams.
As the nation’s teenagers prepare to for GCSE and A Levels, new research conducted by Ipsos reveals parents are feeling overwhelmed and under pressure when it comes to supporting their children through exam season.
The new parenting offering includes a range of resources to help parents support learning from primary school years to secondary, and beyond.
The free resources such as a glossary on what to say and what not to say during revision, expert advice from psychologists on supporting your child’s mental health, and ways parents can avoid burn out provide easy to use, practical information and the ability to see and engage with your child’s learning on Bitesize.
The expert led resources include a brand-new podcast series, Bitesize Parenting Teens, hosted by actress and comedian Kerry Godliman, with advice and support on the trickier aspects parenting teens, launching with an episode on exams and revision.
As exams start from May, the new research goes on to suggests many parents are unsure how to help with revision, with 1 in 5 saying they are not confident in how to support their teenager during this time, and 35% saying revision season makes them feel anxious as a parent.
The research highlights common challenges driving this anxiety, including managing their child’s screen time and distractions (33%), helping their child cope with exam stress (25%), and worrying they will say the wrong thing about revision (19%).
Revision season is also putting pressure on family life, with 21% of parents surveyed saying it leads to more arguments or tension at home. Children are feeling the strain too, with 37% of parents saying their child becomes more irritable or emotional during this period.
The research suggests parents are taking practical steps to help, often at the expense of everyday life. 44% have helped create revision timetables, 38% have reduced social plans to prioritise revision, and 36% have paid for revision guides or learning materials.
But despite their efforts, many parents surveyed feel they are navigating this without clear guidance. Almost half (48%) say they find it difficult to keep up with the range of revision resources available.
In conversations with parents, the BBC found just how much pressure exam time is putting on family life. One parent said their child “gets more stressed about me suggesting he revise than he does about exams,” highlighting how difficult it can be to strike the right balance.
Another parent described the experience as “a super stressful period for all concerned,” while others said they have to “put my own emotions to the side to keep [their child] calm.”
BBC Bitesize Parenting aims to engage parents in their child’s education journey, helping to reduce stress and giving families the confidence to support learning at home. According to the latest Socioeconomic Impact Of BBC Children’s And Education report, the BBC provides education resources like Bitesize, that are associated with better exam results, improved life opportunities and social mobility.
Kerry Godliman says: “Exam season can feel intense for the whole family. As a parent, you want to help, but it is not always clear how to do that without adding more pressure. This podcast is about honest conversations and helping parents feel less alone.
And it’s not just revision we talk about on Parenting Teens. We tackle familiar challenges like screen time, how to get your teen to tidy their room, and the much-feared hormones.”
Cerys Griffiths, Head of BBC Bitesize, says:
“Parents are telling us they feel unsure and overwhelmed when it comes to supporting their children, particularly during high-pressure moments like exam season. Bitesize Parenting has been developed in response to what families say they need most, bringing together trusted, expert-led advice in one place.
BBC Bitesize aims to be the most trusted, accessible and used education platform in the UK, and this is about making sure families can access simple, practical support that helps them navigate learning at home and feel more confident supporting their child.”
Bitesize Parenting content, including new Parenting Teens Podcasts are available on the BBC Bitesize website and on BBC Sounds.
