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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to think that schools shouldn't dish out detention to pupils who can't complete online homework as they do not have access to a pc or laptop at home?

238 replies

NellysKnickers · 09/10/2016 10:35

As the title says, there is a homework club after school once a week but this keeps being cancelled. I've told DS1 if they do carry out the threat of detention then I will ring the school. Any teachers out there who can offer their point of view? as I'm failing to see the schools side in this.

OP posts:
megletthesecond · 09/10/2016 10:53

Yanbu. My laptop only works when I duct tape the cable in at the right angle, even that's hit and miss, and the printer is falling apart after DD jumped on it. It's a major source of worry wondering where I'll get the cash in two years time.

ChickyDuck · 09/10/2016 10:54

This may be a stupid question, but has your DC actually asked for alternative suitable homework? It's one thing it not being offered, but a completely different ballgame if he has specifically requested/told them his difficulties and they've turned him down.

redskytonight · 09/10/2016 10:55

There must be only a fairly small number of DC that don't have access to a laptop/pc/tablet or even smartphone at home; can't access the school computers and can't get to a public library. I understand that there are financial constraints,but if your secondary age child is genuinely in that position, then finding a solution should be a top priority. And not just saying that the school is being unreasonable.

TheZeppo · 09/10/2016 10:57

Not always allowed to exercise our common sense, to be fair. For example, our maths department use mymaths for all homework. The head of maths (no doubt under pressure from those above) won't let them set anything else. They have to follow the behaviour system with regards to No homework - consistency is key to good behaviour.

That said, setting that kind f homework with no access to computers is very poor. Maybe write a note in the planner to the teacher first?

Balletgirlmum · 09/10/2016 10:57

The op has already stated that the school have chosen to use a homework site which is not compatible with tablets or smartphones.

Ds's school uses a portal designed to work with tablets which is much easier.

Ionacat · 09/10/2016 10:57

Get your DS to talk to the teacher before the deadline if he doesn't have access to a computer before it becomes a problem explaining homework club keeps getting cancelled - send a note if necessary. (Assuming secondary level here if primary talk to the teacher.)

Teachers are used to this and usually have a solution up their sleeve. I used to set the occasional online homework, stress if there were any problems to see me and then I used to get notes on the day going oh I haven't got access to a computer, when asked why didn't you come and find me to tell me there was a problem like you were told, I usually got a shrug of the shoulders so I'm afraid in those situations the detention stood. (If they had seen me before the deadline, I would have told them to come and use the computers in my room at a mutually convenient time at lunch, before school or after school and come up with a solution with the pupil to avoid a detention.)

Passmethecrisps · 09/10/2016 11:00

No one really wins here to be honest. Teachers are under enormous pressure not to spend money on printing so our obvious response is to use online facilities.

I agree with the poster about compassion and common sense though.

Please don't just silently seath planning your retort when the punishment comes. Call the school and explain the challenges your son is having.

GeorgeTheThird · 09/10/2016 11:00

A computer is essential nowadays for education, there's no way round it. You don't need to buy a new one. Find someone who is upgrading or look on gumtree.

HighwayDragon1 · 09/10/2016 11:01

How are you posting on here if you have no devices your ds can do homework on?

Passmethecrisps · 09/10/2016 11:02

A phone or a tablet device highway

The system the school is using for homework is not compatible

StrongerThanIThought76 · 09/10/2016 11:03

Yanbu.

School have an obligation to provide work in different formats for students with SEN, wouldn't be too difficult to print off tge homework to complete offline. Call school and explain the situation to pastoral leader.

Balletgirlmum · 09/10/2016 11:04

Presumably the op is posting ftom a smartphone or tablet available from around £100-150

She has already said that the school have chosen to use a system not accessible from a tablet which is very short sighted of them.

Lancelottie · 09/10/2016 11:06

Argh, bloody printers. We're on our third child and fourth printer by now. At peak-child-homework time with three of them briefly at secondary together, we seemed to spend most evening adjudicating printing rights and unjamming the bloody thing again.

And nobody's (admittedly secondhand) laptop ever seemed to work reliably for more than a month, so I'd turn my back on my work computer for a couple of minutes and find one of the offspring occupying it. Bugger orf and look things up in an encyclopaedia, kids.

Mynestisfullofempty · 09/10/2016 11:07

Soubriquet "We don't have a computer. Or a printer. Or ink. In fact I don't know anyone who does now days"

Really? I'm surprised at that. You say "now days", so does that mean having a computer and printer is old-fashioned and outdated?

AndShesGone · 09/10/2016 11:11

Maybe it's not 'detention' - maybe it's a supervised slot for them to do the work in.

Dh's school does that, kids are always seeing compulsory homework slots as 'detentions'. They even do compulsory Saturday homework slots. Plus booster slots after school. Very deprived area. Kids are always describing it as 'detention' even though the policies are signed by parents/pupils at the beginning of the year

Philoslothy · 09/10/2016 11:11

Have you told the school that you have no pc access? They will make an arrangement. In the long term it is something you will need to sort out.

Original poster
NellysKnickers · 09/10/2016 11:14

Yes the school know. Or so ds says..........

OP posts:
m0therofdragons · 09/10/2016 11:14

Fairly standard round here to have pc/laptop access and access to online school homework page (work submitted so no printing) is part of school uniform list. Doesn't need to be expensive. One school also demands iPads for all pupils from year 8 and above (state schools in south west). My dc are at primary but I am fully aware they will need laptop access by secondary. In fact dd does "my maths" homework which has to be done online and she's 8. Thing is, very few jobs have no need for computer skills so as expensive as it is I can see why they are essential. If you cannot afford it then ask if the school can help.

Philoslothy · 09/10/2016 11:15

You need to contact the school yourself.

Martha75 · 09/10/2016 11:15

YANBU

Will they remember what pens and paper are for in years to come?

does that mean having a computer and printer is old-fashioned and outdated?
Probably, just like pens and paper Hmm

Sancia · 09/10/2016 11:23

It is a crap policy given that he can't access the school PCs, and there are children in such dire poverty they don't have food and clothes, let alone electronics, but on the other hand, you're clearly wealthy enough for tablets so why not save up for a cheap laptop?

Your kids can't type their essays on tablets. I've never really understood the point of them, to be honest, all my hobbies and work-related training requires a proper keyboard, proper screen and typing input (writing, linguistics, programming) so to me a 'real' computer is an absolute must-have and a tablet a sort of amusing toy.

Passmethecrisps · 09/10/2016 11:23

You must let the school know yourself. I am told roughly 3846383 times a day that a child has lost their tie, the printer is broken and so on. If this matters to you then approach them now and explain. Let them try to find a solution

bloodyteenagers · 09/10/2016 11:25

It's the homeWork companies that are also to blame. They tell the often not tech savvy person oh yes it works with everything and anything. You have internal filters, not a problem. So stuff is bought and of course it doesn't work. And it's assumed everyone has windows 10, or a certain iOS when in reality this isn't the case, so the program doesn't run.

Many families are on the breadline and don't have money even for a second hand device. Never mind net, printer and ink. If families weren't on the breadline there wouldn't be the need for food banks, and when the next cap hits next month more are going to sink.

Schools and families need to work together to find solutions that doesn't involve money that isn't there. That doesn't rely on none existent facilities.

Balletgirlmum · 09/10/2016 11:25

I think it is quite old fashioned to have a PC at home now. We certainly will not be replacing ours when it goes.

Acorn44 · 09/10/2016 11:25

He needs to have a quiet word with the teacher or tutor when the homework is set. With students in his situation, I direct them to hwk club (for us, it's every lunch and after school). I also sometimes lend one of the tutees my own laptop over lunchtime (with me in the room!) if I dont need it for a bit. Most schools have a few 'floating' laptops which we can get hold off in situations like this. They are also used for students with broken arms etc.

There are ways round it, definitely. I dont think you can avoid setting online hwk occasionally - some of the online resources we use are excellent, the students enjoy using them and it would unfair to penalise the majority for the sake of one or two.