Homework during home learning

[FallenSky]

DS is in year 8. Has ASD and ADHD. Finding home learning a challenge. He has 5 full hour sessions with a 20 minute morning break and 30 minute lunch. No break between lessons so not getting his usual movement breaks. I'm encouraging him to stand up, jog on spot etc. Anyway, he's doing his best but I can see he's struggling. The newest battle is with homework. He's not being set it for every lesson but I'd say he has on average another 1-1.5 hours of homework each night. He just won't do it. I'm at a loss. I'm loathe to contact the school because I think they're all bloody amazing and I can see how much work his teachers are doing at the moment. But I also need to think about our home life and decide whether making him do the homework and the battle that follows is actually worth the stress it will cause all of us.

If you have a secondary child, are they being assigned homework on top of home learning and if so, are they happy to do it?

That sounds tough. DC is in Y7 and has a similar timetable. Officially years 7-9 are not set homework on top, but may have to finish off some work if they don't complete it in lesson time.

That was a change to first lockdown following feedback - so I do think it is worth flagging to the school that your DC is (unsurprisingly) struggling.

I'm struggling to motivate myself to help my primary age with their work this week as I'm starting to feel fed up, so I can understand kids struggling with the workload when there isn't anything fun to do at the end of the day or weekend. Schools are having to set the same work as they would do normally but I think most schools understand that everyone in the home environment will struggle to motivate themselves all the time, let alone those with sen so speak to them and explain you need to reduce the workload

Yes and it is a struggle. 2hrs a night on top of a full 8.30-3.15 day of live lessons. Can’t even go out for a walk or anything as it’s dark by the time they finish.

I’m a secondary teacher, although not working. Contact the head of year of Senco to explain what is happening, Your son is already working hard and the last thing you want to do is put too much pressure on him so he won’t do the school work either. If he was my son I would be happy with him not doing hmk.

Thanks all, perhaps I should contact the school. Just didn't want to seem like I was moaning! Homework has always been a problem anyway, school is school and home is home for him so you can imagine how home learning went down during the first lockdown! Luckily, I guess, he's had a couple of periods of isolation so has had time to adjust to working at home. It's just the extra learning now after his "school day" has finished that he's getting stressed over.

Also got primary aged DD at home as well so, as I'm sure lots of us do, I'm feeling pulled in way too many directions at the moment.

I’d tell his school. I’m refusing to set much homework, the thought of the poor children on the computer for yet more time is horrible.

I would definitely contact the school. DD's secondary school now have a policy of no homework for yrs 7-9, after receiving feedback from parents that it was just too much, especially if they needed to use computer to do it, after long day already stuck at home alone working in front of a screen all day. With SEN as well, no wonder your dad is struggling.

*your DS - not sure where dad came from!

My DS is in year 8, his school are finishing lessons 10 mins early so everyone gets a break between lessons and not setting any homework. Even with that it’s very difficult for my DS, ASD/ADHD/dyslexia to manage a full day of learning.

My year 7 DD is struggling to get homework done after a full day of lessons, I think it's just too much, and have said as much in a parent survey that school sent out last week. She says it now just feels like doing homework all day, followed by more homework. I don't know if school will change the hw policy, but I doubt it tbh.

My yr8 grandson has the same timetable with about 8 pieces of homework a week. He's also meant to be revising for online tests but has refused - he can cheat if he likes. They get motivational posts reminding them of the importance of fresh air and exercise but its too cold and gloomy to walk at the end of the day. Most of the weekend is spent doing homework

My DD gets homework for some subjects, I've told her not to do any of it. Pretty much every piece of work is sitting staring at a laptop screen - even art and food tech. I can see why the school have done it that way but I just think there could be practical alternatives given as another option because its depressing me never mind her. Once its 3pm, were out of this house whatever the weather and I will NOT give her more work to do

My DS gets plenty of homework but he's in Y11 so you'd expect it. He just about manages to keep on top of his workload as he's been unwell lately, normally he'd have a bit more free (revision) time. He tells me that lessons have been shortened slightly now so they have a chance to get up and walk around.

Locally i've heard of another school which has stopped all homework for Y7-Y9 as they don't want them spending too much time in front of screens.

My DD is Y9. She’s in a private school and usually has a significant amount of homework, but not through Lockdown - school have acknowledged that online learning is sufficient.

If your DS is struggling then tell school, work with them to help him.