Homework and making

[SilveryMoon]

I'm just on my way out for the afternoon so may not be back on until later.
Aibu to expect the class teacher to mark homework?
My ds1 completed homework incorrectly last week. I have been advised by Senior leaders to submit homework that is an accurate account of his ability, where before I was kind of re teaching what he got stuck on. So we send it wrong work and she's just ticked it. No feedback, no comment, nothing. So how is he supposed to know what to do to improve?

If your concerned about your son you need to tackle it yourself.

I've worked in schools and the reality is nothing like we're led to believe on MN.

The reality is there's a very good chance his teacher won't notice he's struggling, or does notice he's struggling but thinks that's all he's capable of. And there's almost a 100% chance that if they have noticed they don't have time to help.

I hear that Stallions It doesn't matter to me if it's a teacher or a ta, but surely someone should be checking it. I really don't think this is good enough.

You're right. It's not good enough.

Yes, I've spoken to a number of people a number of times. At the end of last academic year I was there 3 days running talking to teachers, slt, senco. Getting really pissed off with being told one thing and seeing nothing happen. This shit attitude from that school that 'some pupils plateau in year 3........' bollocks because now I have a year 4 child on a level 2a (although I know levels have been scrapped) but come on, is it any wonder if all I see is disinterest? Have spoken to other parents this weekend and their child's work not marked either

Unfortunately you are going to have to do it ALL yourself at home.

Easier now when he's only a year behind, then leaving it till he's 2 years behind.

School will say anything to get you out of their office. Anything except the truth.

That's exactly what it feels like too :-(

silvery moon, check it and correct it yourself.

teachers simply don't have time.

I left teaching last year when my working hours started topping 100 a week.

I have children and a life!

teachers are required to set homework, you may be surprised to hear they are not supposed to mark all of it. It is recognised that there simply isn't enough hours in a day. There are far far far too many other things teachers have to do ( any of them of no benefit to education, but that is another story)

A teacher found to have marked all homework will most likely get their wrist slapped for wasting time.

They are supposed to be promoting self assessment and peer assessment instead, this is what ofsted wants.

( actually this cantake longer than marking it yourself but you HAVE to do it and there isn't time for both)

Check your child's homework your self it you want it checked.

Every child's homework is marked in my school. I also do random checks on pupils homework jotters every week from every class to ensure its being marked properly. There is no point in teachers setting homework that isn't marked. I also insist appropriate feedback is given by the teacher. If a parent approached me regarding homework being incorrectly marked I'd be speaking with the teacher concerned. I expect high standards to be maintained at all times from the teachers I lead, not sloppy work or excuses.

I'm in Scotland, OFSTED guidelines do not apply.

Mischief I started teaching 30 years ago. The paperwork has increased a hundred fold. Well done to your mother, but the job is completely different now.

She started in the 1970s and her last teaching job was less than 10 years ago. A levels. She worked as hard at the start as she did at the end. The difference I see in teaching now is that a lot of people can get teaching jobs who 30 years ago could not. You'd need a degree and then a teaching qualification and with that change less committed, less prepared and less educated people entered the teaching profession.

But that's a different discussion. I don't mean to derail this thread.

Ego. We have a marking system which, depending on the year group, the children (and parents) are familiar with. I certainly don't agree with children being set homework for the teacher not even to look at it. What a pointless exercise that would be.

What I meant with "being marked properly" is it being marked in accordance with the marking system of the school. When I initially was brought in to manage my current school there was virtually no systems in place. The school scored "poor" on an inspection 3 years ago (before I was in post). The teachers barely stuck to the curriculum and marking Homework was non existent.

Murfles, I am utterly thrilled that I do not work for you. You sound like a right laugh.

murfles i would be very interested to see what your staff would score on a confidential suicide threat assessment.

YANBU. If the homework is just for 'practice at home' and teachers don't have time to mark it or even don't intend to mark it then I don't think it should be ticked at all. A tick to me implies it was 'correct', that's worse as it could lead to incorrect learning?!?

The whole homework thing just boils my piss anyway, especially in Early Years to Y3, they've done 5x7hr shifts and then have to come home and do more - just give them a break to go out, play, get fresh air. As someone up thread said, it's either too hard and the adult does it or just pointless box-checking - interesting to hear teachers HAVE to set it. Bedtime reading practice and a chat about what they've learned that day is enough for me.

This is it combine the incorrect learning, ds2's homework hasn't been marked/ticked at all, but that's something else. Annoys me, because again we spent time on that when he could have been playing but for my ds1 who struggles, I just think it is unacceptable. And what about the message it sends me? That she just doesn't care. I know teachers are busy, unreasonable and at times, impossible demands, but this is just not on. If it hadn't been marked at all, I'd just think she was busy, but to just tick away is a joke

Personally (and I am a secondary teacher) if I set a homework I will make sure I mark it. It may take a few days but I plan (and have the opportunity to) when I will have time to mark it as I don't see my students every day. I am also lucky enough to have an option of an online homework system which marks and gives feedback for me - so I alternate homework between written and online to reduce the pressure.

I agree it is a job which takes ages, but I do think it helps students. However my school seem to have a sensible policy of in depth feedback being given twice a half term so I also plan those so I am only doing 1 or 2 classes a week (I have 8 classes so around 200 students).

I would suggest going in to chat to his new teacher early - don't go in moaning about the marking as such but raise your concerns about his progress, how you can help and use the homework in question as an example of where you think he needs support.

Anyway best go - pile of books with my name on calling me!

Thanks Noodle. I intend to call the school tomorrow and book a telephone/in person appointment with the teacher