Is it possible that a Y8 pupil has NO HOMEWORK at all?

[mamateur]

ever?

Our Y8 swears he has had no homework since the start of term at his new school. He has a planner, which we were assured would be rigorously monitored. Nothing has ever been written in it. We were told to expect him to have homework most nights. I've called the school, emailed, requested meetings but noone ever gets back to me.

When pressed, he says things like, he 'hasn't heard about any homework being set' which sets my bs radar buzzing.

Would I be very out of order to just walk in to the school and ask to see the HOY? There are also several other issues that need discussing, they promised us lots of pastoral care etc. I'm very annoyed they just ignore us

[RatherBeOnThePiste]

Think that a meeting with the head of year is the way forward for you write a list of your questions/ concerns so you don't forget anything. You wouldn't be out of order at all.

IME it is highly unlikely there has been no HW all term!

[bellavita]

My DS1 is in Yr9 and since he started Yr7 he has had homework every night - maybe 3 pieces a night, sometimes more. They have planner checks at DS1's school - whereby once a month random planners are picked from each tutor group to be looked at by the HOY.

I think a visit might be in order. Some HOY's teach, so I would maybe call in before start of lessons on a morning.

[mamateur]

I have left about 10 messages for her. And for the deputy head who initially contacted me (there are special issues surrounding DN) - we resolved to meet up in two weeks when DN had settled in, about two months ago.

[HarlotOTara]

Actually my eldest dd had very little homework in year 8, however her school did go into special measures when she was in year 10. I did go and see the headmaster but it wasn't particularly helpful as he was very defensive and refused to see there was any concern - which is probably why the school failed. DD did ok tho' good 'A' levels and GCSEs

[BlockedPoster]

If phone calls and emails have been ignored, then I think the next step is to show up in school and be more forceful about it.

[Goingspare]

I'd be more concerned about the school's lack of response than anything. Agree that a meeting with HoY would be appropriate.

No hw at all sounds unlikely, unless the school has announced a clear policy, which I'm sure your DS would have enlightened you about.

My year 8 DD isn't getting a lot, but we're still expected to sign the planner every week, and she's supposed to write 'hw not set' where applicable. It does get signed by her form tutor pretty regularly.

[bluegreenfly]

DD doesn't get any homework but it's the school's policy to not set any until the GCSE years.

Some schools aren't helpful when it comes to responding to phone messages or emails - I often find a recorded-delivery letter does the trick, it leaves a much better paper trail. Ask for a written copy of their homework policy and quote the FOI act as they have to release this information.

[mnistooaddictive]

Marching up there and demanding to see a particular teacher is unlikely to be effective as chances are they are teaching and can't see you!

[mamateur]

mnis, that's what worries me. I think the letter by recorded delivery is a very good idea indeed. I haven't managed to get a letter posted since I had the baby though, so will take a superhuman effort

[FreudianSlimmery]

How bizarre! My DSDs hardly get any but at least they get some. Agree the lack of response is more worrying.

Fwiw at my school our form tutors would check our contact book every Monday - parents had to sign off each week.

[cory]

For dd it has not been a case of homework being set every night so much as long projects that have to be written- so requiring a bit more organisation and planning on the part of the student.

[Talkinpeace]

DD is in year 8. It seems to be the "coast year" I've checked with friends who have kids further up the school and it seems to be true.
Y7 was the primary transition slap down
Y9 is a horrendous pressure for the right GCSE sets
Y10 and Y11 are GCSE cram
so Y8 is the breathing space

that said DD reluctantly shows me her planner. I refuse to sign till tutor has signed
magically the homework appears
once its done I sign
funny that

[LadyLapsang]

Isn't there a place for your comments in the planner? When my DS was at school (now at uni) the school were clear that teachers were expected to set prep, so on the rare occasions they did not I wrote that in the planner and also added what I had got DS to do for that subject for the alloted time. I would have serious concerns about a school that ignores attempts at contact. Email the Head Teacher to set up a meeting, no homework for three months is just not on.

[CarmellaS]

Have just started a similair thread, my yr9 son still gets no homework, his planner is signed and checked and up to date and...blank!! when he does get homework its cut this out, colour this in, bring a magazine with pretty pictures. Its bizarre. I am going to try and confront school about it but they are very hard to contact. hes no A student but theres no way he can improve with no work outside of school. I hear about kids doing an hour or two a night, I would be amazed if in the 7 terms hes been there hes done more than 15 or 20 hours total!!