Parents at a Bradford school have been attending special lessons so that they can take a more active role in their children's learning.

A group of 12 parents from Swain House Primary School, on Radcliffe Avenue, have been taking lessons in literacy, numeracy and computing so that they can help their children with homework.

Learning mentor at the school Dot Martin said when she first came to the school a number of parents said they were struggling to understand their children's homework.

"I realised that there was nothing to help the parents help the children at home," she said.

Over the past four years the parents have been gained a variety of qualifications in reading, literacy and numeracy as well computing qualifications like the European Computer Driving Licence, CLAIT and RSA.

To make the courses viable the school needed to get at least eight parents to sign up but a group of 12 ended up getting involved. And now three of them are working at the school as a teaching assistant, a caretaker and a lunchtime supervisor.

Nicola Watts, 32, has two children at the school and since doing the courses she has helped out as a teaching assistant and works as a lunchtime supervisor.

"It has really helped me to understand what my children are learning in school," she said.

Alison Horsman signed up four years ago. At the time her daughter Georgia had just started going to nursery in the mornings so the school agreed to take care of her while she went to lessons.

"It has just given me an insight into how the children are taught at school and it has boosted my confidence," she said.

Mrs Horsman said she will pursue a career in accounting once her daughter was at secondary school.

All the lessons have been provided free thanks to funding from Education Bradford and Shipley College, who provided the teaching. The parents have also had lessons to improve their self-confidence and self-esteem.

Now, thanks to the success of these parents, some grandparents have started to take classes.

Mrs Martin said: "More schools really do need to do this - it's invaluable. It helps with the children's work because the parents can help them at home."