Written question asked by Nick Gibb (Conservative) on Thursday, 23 June 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 27 June 2005. It was answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern (Labour) on Thursday, 30 June 2005 on behalf of the Department for Education and Skills.

Out-of-hours Learning

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to the answer of 21 June 2005, Official Report, column 1012W, on out-of-hours learning, who monitors the extent to which the guidance on homework for school pupils set out in her Department's publication, Homework: Guidance for Primary and Secondary Schools is being followed by schools.

Answer: The homework guidance does not have statutory force; therefore it is for schools to make their own decisions in this area. Ofsted inspectors evaluate the extent to which homework is effectively used to reinforce and extend what is learned in school, and reflect their findings in their report on the school. Ofsted inspections in 2003/04 found that the use of homework was satisfactory or better in 91 per cent. of secondary schools and 97 per cent. of primary schools.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 435 c1702-3W; 7941
Session: 2005-06
Related items: Out-of-Hours Learning
Tuesday, 21 June 2005
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects: Homework