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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To think most school work should be done in school

80 replies

BeeInYourBonnet · 01/02/2014 08:34

When I was in primary school we had a small bit of homework which was normally doable on our own, with a bit of input from parents. I didn't particularly benefit massively from the fact my parents are educated to post grad level, as they never really needed, or were expected, to significantly input into my learning.

I have adopted a similar approach with my DCs. Helping with homework, listening to reading, but generally not setting a structured plan of learning for them outside school, as I stupidly presumed this was what school was for.

However, it is now becoming very obvious that there is a big gulf between those children whose parents have provided tutoring or a high level of parental support and it seems there is an expectation from the school that considerable amount of work will happen outside school. However, although I have a degree and a fair level of intelligence, I don't feel I am equipped to develop and drive my DCs learning, for example in Maths, as I don't understand the specific ways things need to be done, what with not being a teacher!

AIBU to think, apart from a small amount of homework, parents shouldn't need to take such a significant role, and that this causes huge inequalities between those parents who are able (time-wise, educationally and financially) to provide a high level of extra support, and those who are not?

OP posts:

LindyHemming · 01/02/2014 08:36

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

LaurieFairyCake · 01/02/2014 08:38

In primary in my opinion it should be how you already do it.

In secondary they really need to do homework - school says 12-15 hours a week for Gcse years. Dd is Gcse year and she would get really crap grades if she didn't do homework - there's only about 3 hours of actual learning in the school day - 45 minutes after is really going to help and not hinder her cement her learning.

Original poster

BeeInYourBonnet · 01/02/2014 08:39

DD is Y3 (luckily DS is still in infants) and there are already numerous children in her class getting private maths tutoring, mainly I think cos school results for maths were poor last year.

OP posts:

SapphireMoon · 01/02/2014 08:41

Agree absolutely op....

SapphireMoon · 01/02/2014 08:42

So BeeInYourBonnet, when maths results improve the school can take the credit for parents money being thrown at the issue!

twentyten · 01/02/2014 08:43

Many schools do sessions for parents to explain how maths is taught at primary. Ask the school to provide this. Know it's not fair but hard to change- you could become a governor and try but it's like herding cats...... NBC bite size is good.

MrsBucketxx · 01/02/2014 08:44

Yes me too, I hated homework.

Extend school hours if need be, homework is pointless imo

QueenQuinine · 01/02/2014 08:46

So it's not kids spending more time learning you object to, MrsBucketxx, it's just that you don't want to have to teach your kids yourself?

LindyHemming · 01/02/2014 08:46

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

QueenQuinine · 01/02/2014 08:48

Having discussed our vary different experiences of junior schools in the 80 with my OH, Euphemia , I think some standardisation is a good thing. I agree that too much emphasis is placed on the results by the adults involved (schools, parents, government) which puts too much pressure on the kids.

TheDoctorsNewKidneys · 01/02/2014 08:50

In primary, absolutely. Primary homework should be reading, spellings and maybe learning things like the times tables.

But, in secondary, you really do need to be doing homework. You won't get your GCSE's without doing homework. There's not enough time in the school day and children need, at some point, to learn how to work independently outside of the classroom. It's why a lot of people struggle with university because all of a sudden, you're given instructions and left to get on with it. There's no guidance, you're just told "this is what you need to do, it has to be done by x date, good luck".

At some point, kids need to learn out of the classrom and do work at home independently, but that point is not in primary school.

brettgirl2 · 01/02/2014 08:51

yanbu op. Then the government start on in the next breath about childhood obesity and lack of exercise. Am I the only person who can see a link between the 2?

QueenQuinine · 01/02/2014 08:52

"You won't get your GCSE's without doing homework"

I know plenty of people who are proof otherwise.

brettgirl2 · 01/02/2014 08:52

I agree doctors to some extent but a lot of pointless homework is set at secondary level too.

QueenQuinine · 01/02/2014 08:54

I should add that those I know who got GCSEs without doing homework include people I went to school with and people I taught. GCSEs aren't much of a challenge for the most able students.

Original poster

BeeInYourBonnet · 01/02/2014 08:57

I must admit I feel awful for my 7yo, as I now feel obliged to sit her down after school every day and do maths with her, plus some reading, as she has now noticed she has fallen behind.

IMO, 5 hours of school/learning should be enough for a small child.

OP posts:

MrsBucketxx · 01/02/2014 09:09

I love teaching my children mine are 2 and 3 counting shapes numbers letters all learnt before three, thats not the issue.

Home should be just that not an extension of school.

chibi · 01/02/2014 09:16

any system which depends on parents being able to do some of the teaching at home is grossly unfair, and sets some children up for failure

then, when a few of those children are able to succeed in spite of the odds against them, their examples are cynically held up as proof that anyone can succeed if they want to, and that the system works.

schools should not be machines for entrenching inequality.

insanityscatching · 01/02/2014 09:16

I would think that the school wasn't doing a very good job if children were needing tutors at age 7 tbh. I've never had much input into my dc's homework as what was set was able to be done by them independently as it was just building on what was taught in class mostly.
Children need to have time at home to relax and play and to pursue hobbies and interests IMO.
I can confirm ds passed his eleven GCSE's all high grade without doing any homework and little effort and is currently doing a Masters fully funded by his place of work.

Original poster

BeeInYourBonnet · 01/02/2014 09:18

Exactly chibi

OP posts:

CombineBananaFister · 01/02/2014 09:27

I think YANBU but it depends on what you want for your children in life and how much you are willing to stick to your principles when others are tutoring and excelling.
Personally, when my DS comes home from nursery I don't do any of the homework tasks with him unless they are fun and can be incorporated into our leisure time (which usually they are - birdspotting etc).

Whathaveiforgottentoday · 01/02/2014 09:35

I agree with the OP that you shouldn't need to do extra at primary level. I do extra literacy with my DD but that is because she has some specific problems which she needs extra help with. Apart from reading and spelling, she gets one piece of homework each week which she mostly completes on her own.

Many don't have to work hard at GSCE's to pass them with A's and B's. However it is these students who fail at AS. They've been listening to teachers/parents saying how they must do h/w to pass GSCE's but they've learnt that this isn't true. So when it comes to A levels they continue to ignore advice, but unfortunately very very few students will pass A levels without considerable work at home.

Theodorous · 01/02/2014 11:37

I agree. We have loads of other things to do in life, my husband is their headmaster so work gets done but so do lots of other things, sailing, walks, tennis etc or if they want, a sofa to flop on and watch crap. I used to come home, kick off my shoes and watch Grange Hill, can't imagine having to do hours of homework and tutoring. School is school, home is home

Joysmum · 01/02/2014 12:07

I'll turn thus one in its head.

I have always taken the time to help my daughter with homework and discuss her day and if there's anything she had problems with or particularly enjoyed.

Why shouldn't my daughter benefit from my interest in her schooling? Why should others who don't take the time be on a par?

There's a lot I don't understand (I needed a lesson on number lines and phonics) but I ask and the school introduced parents evenings to cover the basics.

Much of the talk in the playground was saying why should they go, not that they couldn't go, that they wouldn't go on principle. These will be the same people moaning about those if us who put more effort in. I'm trying to teach my daughter that the more you put in, the better the results you can achieve over those who don't.

To put this into context, I'm a bit above average, my daughter is too, but by working harder than average we can progress quicker and drag our compatible results up. That's what we do. Now DD is in her first year at senior school, that work ethos has paid off as she now works mostly independently and doesn't need to be reminded to do homework and comes to me only if she has questions. Her first report showed B's and A's for attitude and effort in all her subjects and expected or above expected levels for ability. I'm happy as it's attitude and effort that matter most to me.

chibi · 01/02/2014 12:22

yes, if parents are able and willing to help their children, they will probably progress further than they would otherwise.

my issue is where parents must help, or there is no progress

there are many reasons why it may not be possible.

if you are ok with a child's ability to do basic maths, or be literate hinge on whether they have a parent who can assist, you are heartless and willing to doom children for an accident of birth.

school should be a place where everyone, regardless of background can become literate, and numerate, and learn how to learn.

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