Written question asked by Tony Worthington (Labour), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 7 November 1996. It was answered by Marquess of Lothian (Conservative) on Thursday, 7 November 1996 on behalf of the Northern Ireland Office.

Northern Ireland Office

Question: What evaluation has taken place of the 12 homework centres in Northern Ireland referred to in his Answer of 13th March, Official Report, column 644W; what conclusions he has reached in respect of future projects; and what proposals he has for expansion of the projects.

Answer: Mr. Worthington: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what evaluation has taken place of the 12 homework centres in Northern Ireland referred to in his answer of 13 March, Official Report, column 644; what conclusions he has reached in respect of future projects; and what proposals he has for expansion of the projects. [2063] Mr. Ancram: Eight homework centres, funded through the making Belfast work programme, have been evaluated by the education and training inspectorate. This evaluation concluded that the most successful centres share the following characteristics: a location which is readily accessible by the pupils that the homework centre is intended to serve; they are based within schools, have access to the wider facilities and resources of the school, and involve activities to develop pupils that extend beyond the completion of homework set by the school; and evidence of commitment and active support by the principal of the school at which the centre is based and principals of other main participating schools. The future expansion of homework centres is subject to availability of resources and competing priorities.

Secondary information