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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think 16.5 hours a week homework for GCSE is ridiculous?

92 replies

Southernisle · 22/07/2011 16:05

My dd has bought home her year 10 handbook, and in it states homework will be 1.5 hours per subject per week = 16.5 hours per week = Nearly 2.5 hours per night 7 days a week.

This seems like no down time - factor in instrument practice, sports and cadets, and she will be full on 17:00-22:00 Monday to Friday and 6 hours of school work on Saturday and Sunday.

What happened to the teenage years?!?

OP posts:
MrsKravitz · 22/07/2011 16:06

How many subjects has she?

Original poster
Southernisle · 22/07/2011 16:07

11 subjects

OP posts:
AuntiePickleBottom · 22/07/2011 16:08

it said that in my sister's options booklet, but in reality the only homework she does is coursework.

moomaa · 22/07/2011 16:10

hmm, I actually think that's ok. Trouble is some kids will whizz through it and others will need to take a lot longer. Then it could become unreasonable.

stealthsquiggle · 22/07/2011 16:10

I would be surprised if it actually works out to be that much - maybe have a chat with parents of previous Y10s and see? I would suspect it is more that the teachers are reserving the right to set that much, IYSWIM. Also - will it all be at home, or are there any timetabled free periods in which she could get some of it done at school?

Andrewofgg · 22/07/2011 16:12

YABU on 11 subjects.

BeardofZeus · 22/07/2011 16:13

I used to do my homework during form and before lessons. Worked for me! Grin

Original poster
Southernisle · 22/07/2011 16:14

No timetabled free periods - and her lunch breaks are normally taken up with school sports and orchestras.

In her report it was even commented that they hope she continues to represent the school in sports, and continues playing with the band in cadets etc. So they don't seem anti the extra curricular quite the opposite, but just can't do all the time they are stating.

Let's hope that it's not the actual case - although in the previous years handbooks for years 7-9, the amount has been lower (up to 1.5 hours a night) and that has been how much they have been set.

OP posts:
DogsBestFriend · 22/07/2011 16:17

Sounds ok to me. My own O level homework timetable worked out to that, if not more hours.

stealthsquiggle · 22/07/2011 16:20

I think mine did too - although I didn't do much by way of extra-curricular stuff, so had nothing better to do [spoddy nerd]

Miggsie · 22/07/2011 16:21

I had 3 hours a night doing O levels...but there was very little extra curricular stuff then.

Mumwithadragontattoo · 22/07/2011 16:23

I think that is OK too. Plus I would guess the more core academic subjects will be more than something like, say, music. 11 GCSEs sounds a lot to me so maybe that is more of the problem.

PeggyCarter · 22/07/2011 16:25

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
Southernisle · 22/07/2011 16:29

She had no choice in quantity of subjects they all have to do 11.

The subjects are:

Maths, English x 2, Science x 3, Geography, Graphics Design, IT, RS and Spanish.

Dropping cadets isn't an option as she's wanting to join the RAF, and same goes for the sports, as there is the fitness element entry into RAF.

OP posts:
Glitterknickaz · 22/07/2011 16:29

11 GCSEs sounds about right, not excessive.... I did that many 17 years ago.

SnapesPlaything · 22/07/2011 16:37

I did 12 GCSE's 4 A Levels and a degree, I never did anywhere near the amount of homework that was in the guidelines and and I did very well in everything.

I always thought of it as guilt tripping, so you would do more than you would have with no guidelines. I never thought that they actually meant you to do all the work they said you had to.

SnapesPlaything · 22/07/2011 16:40

On the other hand I am fairly naturally clever with a good memory for facts and had the art of ignoring revision until an hour before the exam and then still getting A's. Was very stressful for me though when I had to be a whirlwind of work for about a week after months of doing buggar all.

HauntedLittleLunatic · 22/07/2011 16:42

You will probably find that because she is doing English and science as multiple awards she will only do 1 lot of English and 1 lot of science homework which would bring it down to 12 hours.

An hour per night plus half a day at the weekend. Doesn't sound unreasonable.

Sirzy · 22/07/2011 16:44

Cadets will (or should) respect that at some points during gcse years young people aren't able to commit as much and may need a few weeks out. I am a youth leader and we make sure they young people know education comes first.

jellykittenaddict · 22/07/2011 16:45

Number of subjects, amount of homework/study & amount of extras is the same as me & all 3 of my siblings have done in the last 10 yrs....sounds right to me

Original poster
Southernisle · 22/07/2011 16:46

Science is the three separate subjects - English is timeabled as language and literature separately let's hope the homework is combined hours.

She's expected to get top grades, but they won't come automatically.

I no way did this much work for my GCSEs, but mine were 30% course work to 70% exams.

OP posts:
SarahStratton · 22/07/2011 16:51

It sounds a lot, but looking at it objectively she should be done by the time dinner is ready, assuming she's home by 4.30pm and you eat at 6pm. DD2 manages 2+ hours a night and she doesn't get home until 5pm, she does an hour before, and an hour after dinner. She's just finished Year 8.

She also has a lot of work sent home as extra, so she can catch up on missed schooldays.

SarahStratton · 22/07/2011 16:51

6pm should be 6.30pm. Doh Confused

pot39 · 22/07/2011 16:58

Oh dear. Described by his school as 'exceptionally bright' DS doing same number of GCSE's, just finished year 10. I would jump up and down and sing hallelujah if he did half as much home work as that.
I suspect other parents of boys will observe similar.

JanMorrow · 22/07/2011 17:04

I did 11 GCSE's and I remember a fair bit of homework but it's normal, I still had plenty of time for sports and orchestra and stuff. Really, I wouldn't worry.