A tatty exercise book reflects badly on the pupil, the teacher and the school. And it’s not conducive to classroom effort and improvement. Foster good exercise bookhabits like this:

* See books often and mark them diligently.

* Persuade the school to buy plastic exercise book covers.

* Reward owners of well kept boks.

* Pass particularly good examples to senior colleagues for higher level recognition.

* Invite other colleagues into your classes to take an interest in the work.

* Encourage parents to take an interest in exercise books, perhaps adding their own comments to homework.

Gerald Haigh Next week: pupils who won’t do their homework