'a bright child, with supportive parents and a happy home life WILL DO WELL WHEREVER THEY GO'
I thought the same, but it's not true for all kids, as mine didn't. He went into school so keen and eager to learn. He loved science and construction, was reading at a high level and got a 2b sats in maths in Reception (with no preparation or support). After not being challenged /supported to work to his abilities, a string of constantly changing teachers, unambitious classmates and a lackluster head teacher my son was basically depressed and demotivated. He'd learned he could do the work quickly as it was so easy... Or not do it and there were no repercussions.
And this was a 'good' school, who do a good enough job of helping most of the catchment of children who come in with no English etc etc.
Thankfully family rallied round and helped us pay for private and he's a different child. I'd assume he was just getting older, as no longer keen to work or learn new things, but no... It was the effect of school. After a term of private, he's now like the child he was before 3years of bad schooling had worn him down.
But, the homework is a struggle and sometimes I wish there wasn't so much - and my ds is the same as he doesn't get down to it quickly. But I see it as my job to teach him to get it done and then he'll have time to play. He's also 9 and most children won't have a work ethic yet-we have to instil it in them.