Fuller school day

I very much applaud Michael Gove’s initiative on homework [to give teachers in England greater discretion over how much homework pupils are set].

I retire in July after running three schools for nearly 27 years without ever having asked pupils to take part in written homework or prep.

This is not only popular, but also has produced, just in the past three years, 60 scholarships to senior schools all over the United Kingdom.

We do, however, teach them how to revise and prepare for examinations; this is done during the week by the pupils and makes them responsible for their own preparation.

We also teach until 6pm; have one and a half hours of sport each day for all; offer more than 70 clubs per week and 12 each evening until 8pm. Perhaps a longer day and a more fulfilling timetable of extra-curricular activity would benefit all pupils in this country.

John Elder

Headmaster

Cargilfield Prep School

Barnton Avenue West

Edinburgh