These notes record additional comments made by parents on questionnaire replies.

'School A'

The comments are listed under the question which prompted them.

Which of these statements best describes your thoughts about homework?

Multiple choice responses were: 'I've not really thought about it before'; 'I've had concerns about homework and have discussed them with my child's teacher'; 'I've had concerns about homework but have not discussed them with my child's teacher'; 'I've thought existing arrangements are fine so have had no reason to raise any concerns'; and 'Something else.'

Parents' additional comments were:

• Respondent replied '...existing arrangements are fine...' and added: "But when homework comes home unmarked I do not know if the teacher has seen it or not can also be upsetting when the child has put a lot of work, time and effort into completing homework."
• "NO feedback. NO returned homework marked. NOT much homework set. Very poor attitude from school."
• "Not enough and too easy."
• "I think more homework is needed for Year 3 pupils."
• "Not enough."
• "Sometimes I don't think the homework set is explained properly to the child."
• "I think homework should be increased the older they get to prepare them for secondary education."
• "Would like it to be more regular, consistent and more suitable to ability of child."
• "Don't know."
• "It's okay when they remember to bring it home."
• "Homework should be explained better before being handed out."
• "Difficult to know if homework has been completed when not knowing what has been set."
• "Would be happy if more homework is given."
• "There is not enough follow-up. Teachers make poor excuses: 'Well, I do have to teach 26 children' - I thought that is there job."
• "My concern is there is no homework. She has had the odd piece of homework that takes 10 mins."
• "I think homework is an important part of schooling and makes the child more disciplined."
• "I think homework should be tiered and increased the older they get."
• "I think homework should be set daily from Year 3 onwards."
• "I think there should be more homework. This would teach children also the sense of responsibility to complete their homework."

"I see my child's homework:"

Multiple choice responses were: 'Always'; 'Usually'; 'Sometimes'; 'Never'; and 'Not sure'.

One parent's additional comment was:

• "Never marked."

Which of these statements best describes what you think your child would usually say about doing a piece of homework?

Multiple choice responses were: "I took time over it and thought about what I did"; "I didn't do it"; "I did more than I really needed to because it was interesting"; "I did it quickly to get it out of the way"; and 'Don't know'.

One parent's additional comment was:

• "There is too little homework so it's hard to say."

"Doing homework helps my child to be independent."

Multiple choice responses were: 'Strongly agree'; 'Agree'; 'Disagree'; 'Strongly disagree'; and 'Don't know'.

One parent's additional comment was:

• "Yes and no - all depends."

"I help my child with his/her homework."

Multiple choice responses were: 'Very often'; 'Often'; 'Sometimes'; and 'Never'.

Parents' additional comments:

• One respondent replied 'Sometimes' and added: "Only to the extent of explanation."
• One respondent replied 'Often' and added: "When needed (only assist)."

"I leave my child to get on with it."

Multiple choice responses were: 'Very often'; 'Often'; 'Sometimes'; and 'Never'.

Parents' additional comments:

• One respondent answered 'Often' and added: "But on hand to help."
• One respondent answered 'Often' and added: "But always check it."
• One respondent answered 'Very often' and added "After checking they know what they are doing."
• One respondent answered 'Sometimes' and added: "If able to, if not assist her. Independence is important as well."

Which of these statements best describes your attitude to your child's homework?

Multiple choice responses were: 'It's great: I often enjoy the chance it gives me to do things with my child'; 'I resent it: I don't think school should be telling my child what to do at home'; 'It's okay: sometimes I'm involved and I'm happy with that.'; 'I'm not really involved but I think it's a good thing for my child to do'; and 'Something else.'

• "I think sometimes the school should consider home circumstances, i.e. I'm a single mother of two children, both of school age, I go to work and I'm currently studying at college."
• "I help my child if she is having difficulty and ensure it is completed. I want her to get into the habit of doing the work set for her as long as there is not too much of it for her to cope with."
• "Not if there too much and it takes all my spare time with my child I feel quality time with child is important as well, not always school-orientated."
• "It allows me to give my child a greater understanding of subjects taught, by working on a 1:1 ratio."
• "I like helping my son when he tells me he got homework or he tells me too late."
• "Never brings any home. No spellings or reading. Does not get told off if not done."
• "I agree with having it. But not too much for primary ages. It could be explained better."
• "I enjoy spending time with my child and reinforcing what is being taught at school. More homework please!"
• "My child often does not understand what he has to do. I always help him but let him work out the answers for himself."
• "I do not like to take over."
• "Doing homework with my child makes me feel like her teacher and us (parents) are a good team."
• "I'd rather not have to help do it but sometimes she just can't do it."
• One respondent combined two responses : 'It's great: I often enjoy the chance it gives me to do things with my child... ...but I don't think school should be telling my child what to do at home."

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