More than a thousand parents signed up in Kent and Sussex

Councils across the country offer literacy and maths classes to parents and grandparents.

In Kent, 544 parents have signed up, along with 400 in East Sussex and 80 in West Sussex.

East Sussex County Council said education had changed very quickly and it helped families to catch up.

Spokeswoman Christine Swanborough said: "I think that children in school are taught to cope with changes and perhaps some parents and grandparents weren't taught those skills at school.

"Things have changed very quickly and we need help in catching up and keeping up."

The overall aim is to make parents feel more confident East Sussex County Council

Parent Terri Brown, who has taken part in the scheme, said: "I think if you get involved with the child and their homework it gives them that more incentive to do it, and it's quite nice to overlook what they are doing as well."

The scheme in East Sussex, called Keeping up with the Children, shows mothers, fathers and carers how Maths and English are taught in school.

The council said: "The overall aim is to make parents feel more confident about helping their children with school work and to build a better relationship with their class teacher and school."

Lessons show parents how children learn, and are designed to be fun and informative, without involving hard work or difficult tests, a spokesman said.