Homework Club

[Emadaniel]

I am a prep school English teacher based in Clapham South, London. I will be retiring next July but would like to 'keep my hand in', as it were! I'm thinking of setting up a small informal term time 'Homework Club' where children could come to me for 1 or possibly 2 hours (2 for older children) on a weekday evening and do their homework supervised and with support. Drink and snack would be provided. I would take a maximum of 4 children for any one hour. Children from age 7 up could be booked in for 1 or 2 hours for as many days a week as the parents wish. The cost would be sensible. I am CRB checked and have many years of teaching experience. Do members feel that there would be a take up for this? I'm not advertising but I am genuinely interested in what members think! All thoughts gratefully received!

[amyhamster]

I think it's a great idea !
Childcare is so hard to find another option would be very attractive although what would you do if the kids didn't want to do homework ? Would they be able to watch tv instead ? You'd have to decide how strict you would be

[TheFirstOfHerName]

I often see threads on here from working parents asking what to do for childcare between the ages of 11 and 13. Too old for After-School Club, too young (unless the child is very sensible/mature) to be alone at home after school for a long time.

I think you'll find children aged 11 or 12 whose parents would find this helpful. In the state sector, children aged 7 or 8 don't usually get enough homework to make this viable. Even in Y6, most children don't get an hour of homework.

[TheFirstOfHerName]

If you live in an area with grammar schools, children in Y5 could bring their 11+ prep, which might bring homework time up to an hour once or twice a week.

[Emadaniel]

Thank you for the swift comments - Amyhamster - yes, they would do their homework whether they wanted to or not but they would be cheerfully supported and helped to get started etc. No television, I'm afraid but reading time and paper games if they gave time left at the end.
Glad you both think it might work though!

[101066]

Hi yes I would be interested - but the issue of getting to you from school might be a problem.
I would think that most working parents would love this idea but would also need the child to be picked up from school and taken to your home. And non working parents who could pick up from school and bring to you may not have the money and could supervise h/w at home.
So very good idea but you might also want to consider how children get to you after school.

[barefootcook]

Excellent idea. I would certainly be interested if I lived in the area. I second what 101066 said. The transport could be an issue for working parents.

[TheFirstOfHerName]

I'd be happy for my children to make their own way there after school. They have been walking home from school by themselves anyway (from the age of 9) so walking to someone else's house wouldn't be a problem. Once they were 11, I'd be happy for them to take public transport to get there. I would probably ask you to text me if they hadn't arrived by a certain time.

[DikTrom]

I agree with others. If you can sort out transport from schools to your home there would probably be sufficient interest.

Not sure how you could sort out the transport though? You may need to hire somebody who is of course CRB checked and obviously very reliable, as it is only for a very short time period each day this may be quite difficult.

Good luck.