Issue 25 Autumn 1998 Brief Survey of Homework Initiatives in the United Kingdom, June 1998 Anthony Tilke	Collections under which this       article appears:       Projects       Libraries Related Articles or Resources Other Articles by Author

The Library Association undertook a survey of homework initiatives in local authorities in June 1998 in order to provide statistical information for the Association's response to the Department for Education and Employment's consultative document on study support in England. The survey was also carried out in order to identify the scale of library service involvement. (Anecdotally, a number of initiatives have been reported on and authorities cited as good practice.)

Survey results
A simple survey form was sent to all local authorities in UK. Forms were also sent to heads of Schools Library Services where this post is separated from staff with overall responsibility for children's services in the public library services. Nevertheless, replies were collated as authorities.

The following were the number of replies received from individual countries in the UK. Please note that no replies were received from Northern Ireland:

• England - 79 authorities
• Scotland - 18 authorities
• Wales - 14 authorities

The aim of the survey was to identify the following:

• existence of homework clubs in public library authorities;
• plans to introduce homework clubs in authorities where there was no provision;
• need to seek external funding to enable the above to happen.
• existence of a strategy to locate homework clubs in schools and/or youth clubs;
• any involvement of the public/school library service where such a strategy has been evolved.

Findings
England

• 43 authorities had developed homework clubs in their public library service, whilst 34 had not.
• 22 authorities planned to introduce homework club initiatives, whilst six authorities had no plans to do so.
• 42 authorities would develop or further develop homework club provision by means of external funding. One authority would not seek external funding.
• In 30 authorities, there was a strategy for locating homework clubs in schools, youth clubs or other venues. There was no such strategy in 28 authorities. In 14 authorities there was an integrated strategy, locating homework clubs in whatever venue was appropriate, but in a co-ordinated manner. In 16 authorities a variety of provision had developed.
• Where provision had developed in places other than public libraries, 29 authorities had provided advice, help and support, whilst in 28 authorities, developments had occurred without any assistance from the public/schools library service.

• Three authorities had developed homework clubs in their public library service, whilst 15 had not.
• 11 planned to introduce homework club initiatives, whilst four authorities had no plans to do so.
• 12 authorities would develop or further develop homework club provision by means of external funding.
• In nine authorities, there was a strategy for locating homework clubs in schools, youth clubs or other venues. There was no such strategy reported in two other authorities. In two authorities there was an integrated strategy, locating homework clubs in whatever venue was appropriate, but in a co-ordinated manner. Also, in another two authorities a variety of provision had developed.
• Where provision had developed in places other than public libraries, 11 authorities had provided advice, help and support, whilst in three authorities, developments had occurred without any assistance from the public/schools library service.

• Three authorities had developed homework clubs in their public library service, whilst 11 had not.
• Six planned to introduce homework club initiatives, whilst 4 authorities had no plans to do so.
• Eight authorities would develop or further develop homework club provision by means of external funding.
• In eight authorities, there was a strategy for locating homework clubs in schools, youth clubs or other venues. There was no such strategy reported in four other authorities. Also, in another two authorities a variety of provision had developed.
• Where provision had developed in places other than public libraries, four authorities had provided advice, help and support, whilst in six authorities, developments had occurred without any assistance from the public/schools library service.

Individual comments

• In one former authority, which has now become a series of unitary authorities, the strategies for location of homework clubs were being considered. The Schools Library Service which serves these areas is included in the discussions to develop strategy.
• In one major city, there is a corporate group mapping what exists, as clubs exist in libraries, schools and other venues.
• In one country, a survey had been sent out to secondary schools by the Schools Library Service, where it was found that 13 homework centres had been set up in secondary schools. Amongst other issues, the Schools Library Service identified training needs for school librarians.
• In one city unitary authority, a club had been set up especially to support the needs of a particular ethnic minority.
• In one city in the north of England, homework clubs/study support was a priority within the city library service, reflecting the priority within the local authority. The city library service developed internal strategies to manage a pilot (externally funded) project and was working towards a code of practice for library provision.
• In an English midlands county, the library service was part of a country-wide out of school hours study group, an inter-agency looking at long term developments.
• In one Scottish city, there was a strategy to develop a range of venues as homework support, ranging form public libraries, schools and neighbourhood centres.

Conclusion
Almost a quarter of UK library authorities had developed homework centre provision, many on a pilot basis. However, some authorities were looking at provision in most if not all public library service points.

About a fifth of local authorities were interested in developing homework centres, whilst over a quarter of authorities would develop such services if external funding were available. A strategy for homework clubs was in existence in a minority of authorities, though many clubs had been developed in schools (including the libraries of schools), youth centres and elsewhere. Where such developments had occurred, the use of library services (whether school (SLS) or public), for advice, help and support was under-utilized.

The initiative was more developed in England than elsewhere in the UK.

There was overall considerable interest in homework/study support throughout the UK, in terms of library services, and it is seen as a growth and development area, potentially contributing to higher standards of literacy and educational attainment.

Recommendations

1. That policy and strategy about the role of libraries and homework centres/study support be adopted at national and local level.
2. That specific funding opportunities be developed.
3. Wider appreciation of the role of library services in supporting homework centres and related initiatives.

For copies of this document, please contact: Information Services
The Library Association
7 Ridgmount Street
London WC1E 7AE
Tel: 0171 636 7543
Fax: 0171 436 7218
E-mail: info@la-hq.org.uk

Anthony Tilke
Formerly Professional Advisor, The Library Association