The homework issue....

[rubyloopy]

Message withdrawn

[scaryteacher]

I'd check with the school how long the prep is supposed to take : is it 30 minutes per subject for example, and limit DT1 to that. I would also e-mail or ring the tutor and explain the situation; that is what they're there for after all.

[lazymumofteenagesons]

Because of the discrepancy between the two boys I would get in touch with his tutor/house master to find out if this prep time is supervised etc. Do they do prep at school because there are boarders there and does this make coming home much later. If so, I don't think DT1 should be bringing so much home. He seems to need help in organising himself which the school can keep an eye on.

[rubyloopy]

Message withdrawn

[SqueakyPop]

There should be a homework timetable and fixed guidelines for how long they need to spend on each subject. For example, 3 subjects x 30 minutes per night. Even doing prep at school, they should at least come home with one homework to do at home.

Can you hunt through your paperwork and see if you can find the homework policy, or see if it is in the DC's planners?

You should be able to see from their planners what is set each night and ask them to tell you exactly what this entails. I find though, that they tell you they did it in prep and don't have the evidence with them!

What it shouldn't be is simply 'finish work from the lesson', although this can be part of it but not the major part.

If you do all this and conclude that there is a problem, contact the form tutor, who can monitor what is being set and intervene if necessary. You are perfectly right to be concerned if there is either too much or too little homework.