'Homework Hotline Service' - enhancing communication between home and school
St. George Community College, which is situated in the inner city area of Bristol, is developing a range of
strategies to engage parents in their children's learning. One initiative involves a 24-hour automated
'Homework Hotline'. This aims to keep parents and carers fully informed about the homework set, and by
when it needs to be completed. Assistance can also be sought if the son or daughter is experiencing
difficulties with any set tasks. The cost of installing the equipment was approximately £3,500 - the
school's involvement with a DfEE homework project helped to meet this outlay.
The process
Each day teachers record a summary of set homework on a 'homework checklist', kept in each faculty area.
Key reference material to be used by students is also outlined. The completion date is also recorded.
Each afternoon this record is collected by student receptionists, who record the work against a checklist.
If any teacher has failed to set work, they are prompted to do so. Details of this work is then given to
the appropriate Head of Year who ensures it is recorded in student planners at the end of the day's tutor
group review session.
At the end of each afternoon, a member of the administrative staff records the homework onto the respective
telephone message boxes. For example, Year 7 homework can be listened to by telephoning the hotline number
and then pressing button 1 for details. Recording the homework takes approximately fifteen minutes.
Additional services
There is also an answer-phone facility where parents, carers or students record concerns or requests for
help with homework. These are checked every 24 hours. The appropriate member of staff will either
telephone the parent with advice or talk with the student concerned.
Another message box is dedicated to giving parents and carers advice on where to gather additional help
for their sons or daughters. For example, information is provided on the 'After School Hours Study Support
Centre', the 'Family Study Support Programme' and evening and weekend access to the College's
ICT facilities.
Outcomes
Since its inception, the 'Homework Hotline' has received an average of 40 calls a week. It has also given
parents and carers a foolproof way of checking on the homework that has been set. No longer can students
say 'I've got no homework tonight'. They also appreciate the value placed upon homework by the school.
Equally, the system ensures that teaching staff are reminded of their obligation to set homework
according to the agreed policy.
The 'Homework Hotline' has enabled the College to spend more time on monitoring the quality of the
completed homework. It has also encouraged the development of differentiated homework study booklets
in each subject area.
Future development
Currently, the College is exploring how the use of ICT can add further support to the 'Homework Hotline'
service and particularly by promoting the concept of individualised learning in the home.
Case studies index | back | next
