Hi. We are taking a holiday at the end of the Easter School holidays. Unfortunately, due to commitments at work, our holiday in Morocco overlaps term time by 4 days on our return. We are keen for our children not to fall behind, so will take homework with us. We have not done this before, and are a bit dubious about how to bring out the school books without causing too many tantrums. Has anyone any experience of how to go about this? As holiday time is so precious, I would be more keen on taking the kids, (aged 10 and 12), on a field trip to historic sites. Advice much appreciated. - Mary Harris PS: Yes I know how much the current government would disapprove

We find that there are always a couple of periods in the day when it is either too hot to be outside or they need some down time and can get some work done then. Testing vocab or spellings with a drink in hand is easy in the early evening and instead of the usual home seeion on th pS2 or computer time can be found in the morning. It's a chore but at 10 and 12 the bonus is being away. All said, the experience of being away more than makes up for National Curriculum dogmatic views on reading hour so go for the cultural experience even at the cost of a grade or two!!