England's education watchdog, Ofsted, has warned of a significant deterioration in the 'social contract' between families and schools, a situation where parents ensure their children attend school regularly and respect school policies. In her final report, Ofsted's chief inspector, Amanda Spielman, highlighted issues including lower attendance, poor behaviour, and increased friction between parents and schools. She cited a worrying shift in attitudes since the pandemic, with some parents challenging school policies more frequently. Government data show that over a fifth of pupils in England were persistently absent in the 2022/23 academic year, a notable increase from pre-pandemic levels. This trend is contributing to declining educational progress and outcomes. Additionally, schools are experiencing more disruptive behaviour, particularly low-level disruptions like backtalk and misuse of social media in class. Restoring the traditional relationship between schools and families is crucial but is expected to take years.