There is a lot to be said for being back at school. The fun of playing and gossiping with friends, the relief at no longer being bored and, yes, even the excitement of learning.

But what most children are not so thrilled about is the prospect of having to do homework.

As a parent, it's up to you to help your kids manage their homework, cope with it, benefit from it, and give it the time and energy it needs.

"There is a responsibility on all parents to make sure that homework is done," says Elizabeth Cook, education consultant for parenting web site www.raisingkids.co.uk.

"It's an important part of education and if parents don't take it seriously, children can fall behind. For starters, you need to understand how much time they should give to homework."

Government guidelines broadly suggest starting with an hour a week for children in Years 1 and 2, working up to 30 minutes a day for those in years 5 and 6.

Secondary school students should spend 45 to 90 minutes per day on homework in Years 7 and 8, one to two hours a day in Year 9, and between one and a half to two and a half hours in Years 10 and 11.

If you are unsure, speak to your child's teacher - and remember, quantity is nothing without quality.

"Parents need to have a good relationship with the school, so they can help bring out what the teacher feels the child is able to do," says Mrs Cook.

Many schools will provide homework books so parents know exactly what their children should be doing and when.

The next step is to set up a routine. It's a good idea to give them a half-hour break after school to have a snack and re-charge their batteries.

Then get them going on their homework before they get too tired.

Set aside a quiet, comfortable space. Provide them with nice stationary, storage boxes, perhaps a colourful wall calendar and anything else that will make doing their homeowrk more pleasant.

Be prepared to help with homework, but don't take ownership. Teachers can usually pick up when a child is having too much help.

Listen carefully to what your child tells you about what they need to do, because they are also often telling you what they already know.

You can build on that by working with them if they need help, asking questions but not giving all the answers.

Again, if you're unsure, speak with your child's teacher. If your child is really struggling, the teacher needs to know that too.

"Schools have a responsibility to ensure that the homework is achievable," says Cook.

Above all, make sure you maintain a good relationship with your child's teachers. It can really make the difference between homework being an unwelcome chore - and an interesting an rewarding experience for you and your child.