Page 12 | Do you agree with homework in Primary

Toastiesforever · 2023-09-28T12:03:42+00:00

I disagree with homework in primary school and quite frankly im amazed its still handed out and expected. I have 3 DC in primary school and we have never done homework, my theory is that my children have enough education in school and as parents we should educate outside of school however we see fit. For us this includes them reading books, Harry potter, Jacqueline Wilson, david Williams etc - we are lucky that my children love reading. They will always participate in school talks/presentations and projects. All my children are involved within the school Litter picking committees, School newspaper, music lessons within school. And furthermore they are in competitive level sports outwith school which require substantial training hours. Local days out like airshows, community days and city celebrations. Ive noticed that most teachers my Dcs have had through the years really agree that homework is not required in primary yet we have this year we have came up against a teacher that says its required for my oldest DC. I still said no, am i being unreasonable.

Livingonsugarandcaffeine · 01/10/2023 14:55

Feralgremlin · 01/10/2023 14:34

A quick look on google scholar will show that the research is clear, homework does not benefit children of primary school age.

I am absolutely anti-homework. It doesn’t teach them a good work ethic, it teaches them that a decent work-life balance isn’t important. Ultimately, they are children who should be experiencing childhood, not tiny little robots to be prepared for the work force. It is hard to raise well rounded children if all the focus is on academics.

We have just moved DS from a school that set a ridiculous amount of homework (2 pieces a week, plus spellings, times-tables, 20 mins maths app 3x a week, and a big project every weekend) to a school that doesn’t set any, and we have a much happier child as a result. We are no longing rushing about from his extra curriculars and trying to cram more academic work in before bed, and we no longer have the epic battles over homework at the weekends.

We have always encouraged reading for pleasure and not viewed it as homework so DS reads freely every day, and I always read to him at bedtime.

😂 well clearly if they are receiving excessive homework they will struggle for a work life balance. I’m actually speaking about a NORMAL amount of homework. At our primary, the children get (per week) 1 piece of homework that takes a maximum of 20 minutes and 10 ability appropriate spellings and that’s it. Obviously we encourage reading for pleasure but that isn’t homework.
If parents think 1 hour of homework per week outside of school is ruining children’s ‘work life balance’ then I’m not sure how you expect them to cope with future study to achieve qualifications.
As a teacher, I’ve seen the difference in how children cope going into secondary who didn’t learn to take any responsibility for themselves in year 5/6, and the children that established their own routines and had support from their parents in developing independence and a good work ethic. The latter don’t usually struggle, whereas the first group have a culture shock trying to settle in. You may have done a Google search, but I’ve seen it first hand year upon year.
Ultimately, most schools have a homework/home learning policy and you sign up to this when you enrol your child at that school. I don’t understand all the complaining from parents afterwards.

Livingonsugarandcaffeine · 01/10/2023 15:00

AlocasiaPolly · 01/10/2023 11:05

I didn't agree with it in Primary, DD's year 5 teacher in particular piled it on. At the time the hours we spent sat around the kitchen table felt torturous. But it was always linked to what was happening in class the following week, so if it wasn't completed the children were left floundering. Many parents refused point blank, but DD seemed to enjoy most of it, so I gritted my teeth and got on with it.
Once she was able she learnt to get on with it herself with minimal input. Although there was the occasion when she presented me with a beautifully written piece on the history of the Victoria sponge. The actual assignment was on the history of Queen Victoria.....😂😂😂
FF to year 10 and the start of her GCSEs (our school stagers the papers between Yr 10 and 11 so fewer exams in the last year or a chance to resit if necessary) and I realised how much of a work ethic DD had. Suddenly all those hours spent hunched over whatever it happened to be that weekend had really instilled a sense of hard work l= achievement in DD.
6 weeks to exam time, the parents FB group was going mad with parents trying bribery, punishment, tutoring all all sorts of things to get their kids sat down and actually revising. The same parents who blew off the primary homework week in week out. We've never pressured DD, I've seen the consequences of that first hand - a friend made to go to university when she didn't want to, ended up with a mental breakdown and has never been the same since - so I was pleasantly surprised when I asked about revision and apparently she'd been making notes and doing targeted sessions since Easter. DD worked her socks off (no pressure from us, just help and encouragement when asked for) when peers were at the beach/park/wherever the day before exams.
Come results day she smashed it, the others, not so much. And this success is already driving her on to want to follow it up with the rest of her exams this year.
All those hours of primary homework paid off, not in terms of content, but in mind set. I grumbled and groaned with the best of them at the time, but now I completely get it. Although I won't be volunteering to make a scale model of the burial chamber of an Egyptian tomb again any time soon!

I’m a year 5 teacher and this summarises my points exactly! Although it sounds like they may have given excessive amounts at times which may not have been completely necessary, it sounds like your daughter is doing amazingly well 😊 If only all parents could be this supportive and understand most teachers want the best for their children too.

Lovesocksie · 01/10/2023 15:10

Reading, bit of basic number work and any optional investigation or project should the child actually enjoy it, but enforced homework I’m against.

The thought of battles at home ruining home life for some families makes me sad. Kids already do a full day at school and should relax, pursue hobbies, spend time with family or whatever.

The vast difference in abilities in primary means you would have to ideally differentiate everything, then mark it. An onerous task and a waste of time for most.

I encourage any interest in learning in children and would happily take time to look over anything a child has done in their own time.

VaccineSticker · 01/10/2023 15:32

15 min over the weekend doing a maths sheet on top of reading, spelling and XTable will certainly consolidate and reinforce the children’s learning and help with progression. This is nothing compared to many other countries where daily homework is the norm and their academic results excel ours.

CowboyJoanna · 01/10/2023 15:49

Puffwiththegreeneyes · 01/10/2023 14:47

No, I don't.

My children don't do homework and we've vetoed school putting in sanctions for it not being done (as it's not my child's fault, and they shouldn't be punished for my beliefs).

We do read, lots. And they want to do spelling practice so I do. But the fixed homework book & sheet homework we don't do.

Wow thats a little bolshy...and unfair on the other kids.

PTSDBarbiegirl · 01/10/2023 15:58

Homework total waste of time. If teachers are setting tasks that can't be covered in class then the issue of why can't these tasks be done in class time needs examined. The families who already support emotional intelligence, promote interests, skills like sports & reading, science and technology aren't the ones who need homework tasks.

Unfortunately there will always be gaps and the lack of interest or just deprivation difficulties for some kids, from their families is never more obvious or anxiety inducing than. When homework is handed in.

Separate issue is neurodiverse kids, children with autism NEED to decompress at home. After a day of masking or a day of anxiety home needs to be a place of relaxation and seperate from school. It's not the job of schools to dictate home activities.

AllHopeandRainbows · 01/10/2023 16:29

We get loads every single week since Reception class 🙄 and even for school holidays, which I disagree with. If that is the only time I can take my child on holiday then leave them so they can just enjoy their holiday fgs!

Livingonsugarandcaffeine · 01/10/2023 17:36

PTSDBarbiegirl · 01/10/2023 15:58

Homework total waste of time. If teachers are setting tasks that can't be covered in class then the issue of why can't these tasks be done in class time needs examined. The families who already support emotional intelligence, promote interests, skills like sports & reading, science and technology aren't the ones who need homework tasks.

Unfortunately there will always be gaps and the lack of interest or just deprivation difficulties for some kids, from their families is never more obvious or anxiety inducing than. When homework is handed in.

Separate issue is neurodiverse kids, children with autism NEED to decompress at home. After a day of masking or a day of anxiety home needs to be a place of relaxation and seperate from school. It's not the job of schools to dictate home activities.

The answer to this is because the government have made the curriculum so full it is physically impossible to fit absolutely everything into the school day. Not the fault of the school or the teachers. That along with reduced funding and larger class sizes means the resource (such as extra adults to support and help consolidate learning etc) rarely exists in schools these days.

I don’t know about the schools you refer to, but adaptations are made for neurodiverse learners at our school.

Iateitallofit · 01/10/2023 17:41

PollyPut · 01/10/2023 07:18

@Iateitallofit

"Earlier you said they have to learn 100 words by the end of year 6"
So at least you now accept that that comment was plain wrong and I did not say this.

"the evidence you provided is guidance, not statutory"
Also wrong - it is statutory for all the schools in England that follow the national curriculum - which is most of them. Even independent schools tend to follow it for spellings as a it's a good list and structure - and they don't want their children rocking up at senior schools not knowing the lists the government has set!

It's also not 200 that they need to do by the end of year 6. There are the 100 from year 3, 100 from year 4, then all the rules that are taught for spellings across years 3 - 6 (see left hand column in the pages that I referred to that has the statutory column in the document) and the teachers typically teach the rules in school and set relevant spellings that week for practice. We've also seen the weekly lists include words from that week's topics (e.g. relevant words relating to Romans or Vikings), words that many children seem to get wrong in their writing, revision of some of the common (high-frequency and exception) words they should have learnt in by the end of year 2, and words that are in the text that they are reading through together in class.

A list of 10 words a week is often ones they've talked about or covered in class that week, and this is to check that the children have learnt and understood what they have been taught.

I'm still interested to hear how else you think that spellings should be taught as you seem to have other suggestions

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Not according to the document you posted 🤷‍♀️.

Hummingbird233 · 01/10/2023 17:50

I don't agree with mandatory homework.

We personally try to supplement the curriculum at home. So if they're learning about a historical point in time, I try to loan a few books at the library on the subject. May ask a few questions about it. Same with times tables, we do some practice when driving from a to b.

Consolidating what they've learned but not adding to it.

It's too much pressure for everyone. Much better to enjoy each other at home and focus active learning at school.

babyproblems · 01/10/2023 17:57

Agree homework in primary isnt necessary. Life’s about more than paper work. I’d be asking why they feel they can’t educate adequately in the set school hours??
Homework for GCSE ok. Nothing below that imo!

NightSkyStars · 01/10/2023 18:39

As a Primary teacher, I don’t agree with homework beyond regular reading, practising spellings and times tables. However every time we try to remove homework we have heavy pushback from parents who want it right from year 1 and want lots in year 5 and 6. The parents always argue that it helps get children ready for secondary school where they will get detentions if it’s not completed. Our compromise is to make it non- compulsory, we reward children who do it with achievement points but don’t punish those who don’t. We also make it all online so that teacher workload in marking is reduced plus it’s more environmentally friendly than worksheets!

Casperroonie · 01/10/2023 21:35

It depends on the schools homework policy.

I don't agree with hw, I'm a teacher, but I still had to give out lots to my class because the policy said so... often you'll find parents who complaint the kids don't get hw (?!?!?!) so the school feels pushed to set it.

Just find out what the policy is and take it from there, if it's a school policy it's the head's decision.

Casperroonie · 01/10/2023 21:40

...

bumblebee1987 · 01/10/2023 22:11

YADNBU!

Homework is horrendous. Who on earth decided that CHILDREN should be indoctrinated into thinking that it's okay to bring work home with you?! What sort of work/life balance is this promoting for the future? Sure, some jobs will require people to do work at home, but I'd say this was the exception, not the norm, and as an adult it's up to you to advocate for yourself if it's too much and affecting your life. Children are unlikely to be able to do that.

The education system in this country is broken. Homework won't fix that.

rbmilliner · 01/10/2023 22:53

My 6 yo year 2 is swamped with homework, spell shed, numberbot's, TT rock star,. From year 1 she's had spellings - which have proved a totally pointless exercise as despite getting top score in the test she can't spell them in a sentence or a week later - number bonds sheets, to the point that she now says she HATES maths. Thieres also the holiday project that comes back every holiday that 'must' be completed along with two other pieces (generally after 2 days of nagging and finished by me). This will be the third time in the two years we've have virtually the same project so at least we've been able to use the same expected outfit🙄 Oh yes and the 10 minutes reading a day 'expected' (yes that's what the letter said)
She used to sit and draw at the table over breakfast because she loved it now she has to do times tables to keep up with timed test 😪😥
So no I don't agree with homework - she's no further along than friend,same age, who has to read a book over the weekend -done!

sep135 · 02/10/2023 05:48

I agree with homework at primary, provided it's not ridiculously long. My kids went to a private school and there were always reading, spellings and mental arithmetic in the early years. There were some longer projects towards the end which gave the kids the flexibility to choose topics that interested them.

I think it's good for the kids to be encouraged by their parents at home. Also gives you an opportunity to see potential issues and help your child one on one if needed. I feel standards are higher in other countries where education is more valued and supported.

Twentypastfour · 02/10/2023 06:07

My thoughts on the “work life balance” side of it is that homework is such a tiny bit. For a lot (the majority) of children I know they are doing hours and hours of extra curriculars that the parent has signed them up to. They are rushed from school to ballet / piano / football / coding most or every night so there is little time to decompress at home.. but this isn’t the fault of the 20 mins a week homework.

Now obviously my DC also do extra curriculars in things they really want to do, and I can see a massive benefit in a child who loves karate getting to do their karate every Wednesday. The issue I see it are the children doing too many - and so many children around me are doing 1-2 extras every single day, and then weekends too. It can add 10 + hours a week, so a small amount of homework can really not be the issue. DC1’s best friend misses the majority of parties and play dates on the weekend because they are so packed with activities that there is literally no time. On the face of it these activities are all “fun” ones too but there is no time to just be a child.

Manthide · 02/10/2023 06:55

Reality25 · 28/09/2023 13:40

YABU

One reason why a lot of Brits struggle with Maths is they never actually learn the basics properly at primary age.

They get progressed through primary without knowing multiplication, addition etc. fluently.

Then they reach secondary and can't cope.

Imagine learning to read if you don't know the alphabet properly. It's like that.

And it's hard to learn the basics fluently without practicing at home as well. If it's not being set as homework it's your duty as a parent to set it yourself.

Totally agree. I'm English but dd1 started school in Greece when she was 6 and I was very impressed by the way they taught maths. It was very logical, unfortunately the Greek system at the time required at least an hour's homework every night - possibly more - though school finished at 1230!

Original poster

Toastiesforever · 02/10/2023 09:52

PollyPut · 30/09/2023 06:44

Look at it from another angle. Let's assume that the teacher has a work plan that involves the children learning 10 spellings a week over 4 years in junior school, they hope to cover the syllabus. By sending a copy of the 10 spellings a week home, especially if they covered them in class, most children will know them by the end of primary school and the ones who don't have the opportunity to learn them.

There will be some children who find this doesn't approach work for them (e.g. SEN or dyslexia). But it will work for most, especially those who already read a lot. If everyone took the OP's approach to not even look at the class spellings (and @Toastiesforever has now twice overlooked the questions about whether her DC have spelling tests at school, so we don't know) then the class as a whole is going to make much slower progress in their spelling.

If everyone does do their weekly spellings at home, then the few who are going to need extra support with spelling, or a different way to learn spelling (which I think is what you are referring to @Iateitallofit ) should be highlighted to the teacher earlier and then those other techniques you seem to be referring to can applied at a younger age to help them.

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Sorry @PollyPut i had missed this.

Their class do have spelling tests, DC1 used to rush the tests and lose marks even though she knew the answers, her writing is like mine also, very messy, her teacher last year worked with her on it and now shes managed to slow it down and generally gets marks like 13 out of 15.

DC2 is a beautiful writer and teachers have always said she does very well in her spelling tests, her maths tests needed alot of improvement in P3 and first half of P4, i was told she lacked confidence in maths and doubted herself alot but last parents night this had resolved.

Hope this answers.

OP posts:

PollyPut · 02/10/2023 13:42

Toastiesforever · 02/10/2023 09:52

Sorry @PollyPut i had missed this.

Their class do have spelling tests, DC1 used to rush the tests and lose marks even though she knew the answers, her writing is like mine also, very messy, her teacher last year worked with her on it and now shes managed to slow it down and generally gets marks like 13 out of 15.

DC2 is a beautiful writer and teachers have always said she does very well in her spelling tests, her maths tests needed alot of improvement in P3 and first half of P4, i was told she lacked confidence in maths and doubted herself alot but last parents night this had resolved.

Hope this answers.

Show quote history

@Toastiesforever

13/15 means DC1 is consistently getting over 10% of the words wrong. If DC1 is not consistently getting 15/15, and you are refusing to do the spellings that the teacher sets the class, you are BU not to do the spellings homework to learn the words for the tests - especially when the teacher is asking you to. Surely you can manage this every week?

If DC1's writing is messy it will need to tidy up and they may need to work on their pen control and grip. This is best done sitting down at a table and not writing in the car.

Again with DC2 you say maths is improving. It still sounds like practice at home would help her confidence and proficiency. You are BU not to find time to let her do the maths homework she gets from school.

Lots of children help with community events, write on school newspapers, music lessons in school and competitive sport. But you can be pretty sure they're actually doing their homework too (at least the basics such as spelling, maths and hopefully reading).

PollyPut · 02/10/2023 13:43

Iateitallofit · 01/10/2023 17:41

Not according to the document you posted 🤷‍♀️.

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I can only assume that you don't understand the document

Original poster

Toastiesforever · 02/10/2023 13:53

PollyPut · 02/10/2023 13:42

@Toastiesforever

13/15 means DC1 is consistently getting over 10% of the words wrong. If DC1 is not consistently getting 15/15, and you are refusing to do the spellings that the teacher sets the class, you are BU not to do the spellings homework to learn the words for the tests - especially when the teacher is asking you to. Surely you can manage this every week?

If DC1's writing is messy it will need to tidy up and they may need to work on their pen control and grip. This is best done sitting down at a table and not writing in the car.

Again with DC2 you say maths is improving. It still sounds like practice at home would help her confidence and proficiency. You are BU not to find time to let her do the maths homework she gets from school.

Lots of children help with community events, write on school newspapers, music lessons in school and competitive sport. But you can be pretty sure they're actually doing their homework too (at least the basics such as spelling, maths and hopefully reading).

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Sorry @PollyPut but i dont aim for perfection.

My children are within the top groups in their class, consistently trying hard and are continually improving.

My writing is messy, yet im very successful.

Lots of children help with community events, write on school newspapers, music lessons in school and competitive sport. But you can be pretty sure they're actually doing their homework too (at least the basics such as spelling, maths and hopefully reading).

Really? Because from where im standing and in my life i dont know of very many at all.

I think to bring our discussion to an end, what this thread has made me realise is that everyone has quite firm opinions on how they bring up their children and rightly so, they are their children after all, as parents we cant get it right 100% of the time but for now at this time im really happy and comfortable with my decisions and even more so after this thread.

Further more @PollyPut i actually feel like you've been quite arrogant on this thread, your tone is quite "high and mighty" even though ive tried to reply to you in a really respectful way.

OP posts:

Iateitallofit · 02/10/2023 15:29

PollyPut · 02/10/2023 13:43

I can only assume that you don't understand the document

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It’s you that doesn’t understand 🤷‍♀️

Iateitallofit · 02/10/2023 15:38

Livingonsugarandcaffeine · 01/10/2023 17:36

The answer to this is because the government have made the curriculum so full it is physically impossible to fit absolutely everything into the school day. Not the fault of the school or the teachers. That along with reduced funding and larger class sizes means the resource (such as extra adults to support and help consolidate learning etc) rarely exists in schools these days.

I don’t know about the schools you refer to, but adaptations are made for neurodiverse learners at our school.

Show quote history

It’s also not the fault of the children or the parents- ‘the system doesn’t work therefore you have to make up the shortfall’ isn’t acceptable, not least because a lot of parents either won’t or can’t!