GCSE results: Parents 'spent £4.2m' on incentives to encourage children to do well

Parents spent a staggering £4.2 million in incentives and prizes for their offspring to do well in their GCSEs, according to a survey released today.

A study of 1,000 parents found that over two-thirds had offered incentives to their children to do well in exams this year with one in ten of them convinced their child would have tried so hard to do well without the offer of a reward.

A third (33 per cent) offered cash with A* grades earning pupils an average of £35.37p per subject - and a C grade £17.34.

One in four (22 per cent) promised their child a gift to motivate them - such as an all-expenses paid dinner with friends or an funding for a shopping trip. One in twenty parents will be taking their children shopping for a new car to congratulate them on their good grades.

However, the survey - by VoucherCodes.co.uk - revealed there were still some parents who did not believe bribing children to do well at school was correct. Nearly one in five (18 per cent) wanted their child to strive for success without the promise of presents.