I FEEL it is important that I should reply to the letter you printed in the current edition of The Citizen relating to Beacon Hill High School.

The school did receive a complaint about an assault on a pupil and we have discussed the problems of homework with the same parent. Indeed, the Chairman of Governors has already written to the parents offering to meet them and further discuss their concerns. I have spoken to the step-father of the pupil and assured him that we will do all that we can to ensure the safety of his step-son in school.

Beacon Hill High School is proud of its record in dealing with violence and bullying. We do respond to all incidents and in this case appropriate punishment was given to the pupil who caused the assault.

The content of the letter relating to homework is inaccurate. Beacon Hill High School has a homework policy which we share with all parents. All pupils have a homework planner which should be signed each week by parents and tutors. Despite our best intentions and those of parents, some pupils do not do their homework. We continue to monitor homework on a weekly basis and there is a clear expectation that it will be set weekly.

Our recent survey of a sample of parents and pupils indicates that homework is being set in increasing quantities.

All parents of pupils at Beacon Hill High School can raise concerns with myself at any time. I hold a surgery every Monday evening between 5pm and 7pm giving parents an additional opportunity to discuss these important educational matters.

M Wilmore, Headteacher,

Beacon Hill High School,

Blackpool.