DAVID Beckham isn t the only parent who finds it a struggle to help a child when it comes to homework. The Real Madrid and England midfielder admitted recently he did not know where to start when it came to helping his seven-year-old son Brooklyn with his

DAVID Beckham isn't the only parent who finds it a struggle to help a child when it comes to homework.

The Real Madrid and England midfielder admitted recently he did not know where to start when it came to helping his seven-year-old son Brooklyn with his maths homework.

According to Nobel School in Stevenage the footballer isn't the only one.

Deputy headteacher Barry Burningham told The Comet that many parents are finding it more and more difficult to support their children due to changing methods in teaching.

To try and tackle the problem the school is offering free courses to get adults used to the new teaching methods and to brush up on their maths and English.

Mr Burningham said: "The curriculum has changed in recent years and the strategies for dealing with schoolwork often differs from the ways in which adults were taught when they were at school themselves.

"Couple this with a cohort of adults who had varied school experiences and it becomes clear that, even with the best intentions, some parents find it hard to do homework."

Nobel's research into local learning shows that 27 per cent of Stevenage residents have no qualifications and participation in adult education is 10 per cent lower in the town than the Hertfordshire average.

The school wants to extend its services and develop community learning with the introduction of moving learning to more non-threatening venues like community centres.

Mr Burningham said: "We believe that the lack of confidence and motivation attributed to non-qualified adults can be broken down, particularly when faced with an opportunity to support their own children.

"Schools are well placed to do this kind of work and to put the heart back into community learning.

"We are passionate about trying to improve and strengthen the local community by attracting adults back into all forms of education."

* To book a place or find out more about the free courses on offer call Debbie Clarke on 01438 222600 or email com munitylearning@nobel.herts.sch.uk