PARENTS are returning to school, thanks to a project designed to improve basic education.

Six parents from the Pennywell and Ford areas of Sunderland are back in the classroom as volunteers for the area's Quality Time project.

Launched in September last year, it aims to encourage parental involvement in learning. Parents help organise resources and displays, as well as playing an active role in fundraising.

For one mother, volunteering in the classroom has led to new learning opportunities.

Donna Gibson, a volunteer at Havelock Primary School, has signed up to the school's numeracy and literacy sessions, which aim to raise the standards of both pupils and their parents.

She said yesterday: "Before volunteering for the Quality Time project, I would never have considered taking up further learning.

"Now, thanks to the project, I appreciate just how important education is.

"Quality Time has helped me understand not just the importance of supporting your child's learning, but also working alongside them to develop this even further."

The project focuses on developing literacy, numeracy and communication skills through resource bags.

Each bag contains books, games and activities that are designed to encourage parents and children to work together.