Written question asked by Nick Gibb (Conservative) on Wednesday, 8 June 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 13 June 2005. It was answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern (Labour) on Tuesday, 21 June 2005 on behalf of the Department for Education and Skills.

Out-of-Hours Learning

Question: (6) what her estimate is of the proportion of primary schools that are ensuring that children in years 1 and 2 are set, on average, about one hour of homework per week;

Answer: The Government considers that learning at home is an essential part of the good education to which all our children are entitled. We know, and Ofsted confirm, that a well organised homework programme helps children and young people to develop the skills and attitudes they will need for successful, independent life long learning. Currently my Department does not collect information on individual school's homework policies or the amount of homework they set. We believe it is for schools themselves to make their own decisions in this area, taking account of the Homework Guidelines for Primary and Secondary Schools we provide. Home-school agreements, which we introduced in 1999, promote partnerships between schools and parents, and assist parents in supporting their children's learning at home, including their completion of homework.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 4020; 435 c1012W;435 c1016W
Session: 2005-06
Related items: Out-of-Hours Learning
Tuesday, 21 June 2005
Written questions
House of Commons; Out-of-Hours Learning
Tuesday, 21 June 2005
Written questions
House of Commons; Out-of-Hours Learning
Tuesday, 21 June 2005
Written questions
House of Commons; Out-of-Hours Learning
Tuesday, 21 June 2005
Written questions
House of Commons; Out-of-Hours Learning
Tuesday, 21 June 2005
Written questions
House of Commons; Out-of-Hours Learning
Tuesday, 21 June 2005
Written questions
House of Commons; Out-of-Hours Learning
Tuesday, 21 June 2005
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects: Homework