To not make the kids do the homework?

[LittleMissGerardButlersBaubles]

The head teacher at our school has sent a letter to every child (infants and juniors) with a homework task for the school holidays. It's a learning log which they are meant to complete with a theme.

There is a long letter saying the work must be very neat and tidy blah blah.

Am I unreasonable to not make my kids do it?

They get homework every week in school, and we do that.

I feel very disappointed with the head, I can't see many parents being happy!

[mrsWast]

It's homework. Choose your battles. The break is 2 weeks - i'm sure Ms Trunchbull isn't expecting the kids to spend xmas day doing lines by faint candlelight while the rest of the family frolics in the front room.

in my opinion, you would be unreasonable not to comply with homework requirements.

[Bowlersarm]

If the school think that it's a reasonable thing to do, then my DC's would be doing it. Or at least spending a short amount of time attempting to do it.

[AmberLeaf]

I wouldn't want my children marked down by the head for not doing the homework just because I didn't particularly like the way she had worded a letter

Marked down? In what way?

The homework probably won't even be looked at.

My children wouldn't be doing homework in the christmas HOLIDAY.

Maybe if this was about GCSE or A level students then yes, but primary? No way.

[CHJR]

*which isn't to say that I don't sympathise with your irritation, OP. Obviously if a 6 and 7 year old have homework that sort of does mean their parents have homework over the holidays! Even though of course you're not doing it for them, you have to nag them, force them, listen to them reading to you, find supplies, suggest topics or pictures or models, etc etc. I swear I hate homework more than my DC.

I never had homework as a child. Perhaps I am much stupider than my DC will end up.

[Heartbrokenmum73]

DS2 is 5 and in Y1. He is knackered, as are many of them.

The first term of the year is extremely long and I think the Christmas break is just what they all need by now.

I wouldn't be pushing him to do this kind of homework (were he given it). If he mentioned it and wanted to do it, totally different story, but I'd leave it for him to bring up.

We'll be doing lots of reading though because he's really enjoying that at the moment and I want to keep the momentum going.

[Heartbrokenmum73]

everlong - that's a shocking policy given that homework is optional in primary schools!

If they tried that at my kids school I'd be having a word about the way they treat the children.

There was a girl in DD's class at primary who struggled with her homework because her Mum was an alcoholic who had no time for her and wouldn't help. How would putting her name on a whiteboard help with that?

[Donki]

Everlong. No I wouldn't and I would be having words with the school! Very bad practice humiliating students.... who may have good reasons (SEN, difficult home circs etc)

[Gileswithachainsaw]

For the love of god do not tell me tht that goes for the infants everlong it's bad enough it goes on for the older ones but for 4/5/6 year olds ? Ffs bloody disgusting!!!

[Phaush]

Not the whiteboard, everlong

[AmberLeaf]

I would have to bring that up with the teacher/head if that happened at my childrens school everlong.

If it continued, Id probably look for another school.

As Heartbrokenmum says, there are many reasons why a child may not bring homework in, attempts to ridicule/single out a child like that are not on.

[AmberLeaf]

Reminds me of the 'teacher' at my old school who used to make the children on free school dinners stand while the register was called.

[YouTheCat]

But, everlong, I don't think the OP said this is a private school.

Tbh I think you're getting shockingly bad value for money if that's how they treat your kids.

[AmberLeaf]

I suppose that's something you just have to accept if you use private schools then.

Regardless of the fact that private schools can make their own rules, it is still wrong to humiliate children in that way.

[Gileswithachainsaw]

Apart from the lack of respect of private time and recognition that they need a break ?

[BohemianGirl]

A lot of schools are having them watch films etc this close to the end. They could have done it in class if it was that important!!!!!

Not under new Ofsted framework they wont

[SaggyOldClothCatPuss]

Screw that! I don't give a flying fuck whether they get marked down or not! Exactly what is the point?
Primary kids are knackered by the end of term. Let them have a break! Enjoying family interaction and recharging is just as important as fecking homework!

[AmberLeaf]

whats not to like about that

well all the good stuff aside, they use humiliation tactics.

[LittleMissGerardButlersBaubles]

It's just a normal school, and I understand the importance of homework, and we do complete it normally.

We are due an ofsted inspection any time, so I suspect they want lots of work to display.

If my children want to do it, I won't stop them, I will give them the choice. We do reading and drawing etc anyway and simple maths by adding shopping up etc.

I just don't like the implication in the letter that presentation etc isn't good enough, we always try our best with homework, and yes children should do their best, and be pushed, but likewise they are only small, and spending family time together and having fun is just as, if not more important.