HL Deb 21 February 2005 vol 669 cc172-3WA
Lord Hanningfield

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they support the decision of the headmaster of St John's School, Marlborough, Wiltshire, to abolish homework for pupils; and [HL939]

What is their view on the need for homework for school children. [HL940]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Education and Skills (Lord Filkin)

The Government consider that homework is an essential part of the good education to which all our children are entitled. A good, well organised homework programme helps children and young people to develop the skills and attitudes they will need for successful, independent lifelong learning. While it is for individual schools to determine their own policy on homework, the Government have issued non-statutory guidelines to help primary and secondary schools to draw up and implement effective homework policies.