AN 'overwhelmingly positive' reaction has come from parents of new pupils at Tavistock College.

The response is the result of a questionnaire, completed by parents, aimed at evaluating the transition process between primary schools and the college.

John Simes, college principal, said: 'The result was overwhelmingly positive with approval at 96 per cent or more in all cases.

'Parents were enthusiastic about the written information and parent involvement which had been initiated by the college.'

He said parents particularly appreciated the first few days induction given by the college to new students.

'Every parent said they felt their son or daughter's personal organiser, issued by the college, was invaluable in helping them to monitor homework,' said Mr Simes.

The questionnaire revealed 86 per cent of parents reported their children were spending at least an hour on homework every night, with 99 per cent of parents declaring they were happy or very happy with their child's progress so far.

One parent commented: 'I have not known my daughter to be as enthusiastic about school as she is at the moment.

'She has gained so much more confidence and is much more organised these days.'

Another said: 'I can only say the whole concept of providing information to parent and child was vastly superior at Tavistock College to what I saw five years ago with a different school.'