POLL: how much HOMEWORK does your child get PRIVATE and STATE schools primary school

[Giuliettatoday]

Hi there,

yes, I know it is a controversial issue that has been discussed before, but I still hope this thread does not end up in abuse, because what I am dying to know really is how much homework other (your ) children get.

Of course I speak to mums in real life and the amount spent on homework depends a lot on the individual childs abilities as well but would love to know if the tendency I suspect will be confirmed here.

From what I have heard so far, there seems to be a lot more homework in private schools than state schools, also more homework in state primaries at the top of the league tables than at lower performing ones.

So please, please, do join in.
Maybe just answering the questions in a short style, then give any thoughts/comments - but no abuse at the bottom of your message.

1. private or state?

2. Class year

3. How often does your child get homework (e.g. every day, every other day, once a week)?
   4a) which subjects and what type of homework?
   4b) reading as specific homework?
   4c) spellings?
   5a) How many minutes or hours does your child spend on homework a) per day b) per week (whatever applicable or easier to answer).
   5b) How much is your child supposed to read to you? Average mins per day/reading books per week (not counting any voluntary reading).
   5c) How many spelling tests?

4. Is there less or no homework at the start or towards the end of term or if there is a school event?
   6a) Any holiday homework?

5. Room for addional thoughts, comments, anything else you can think of, such as:
   Do you think it is too much/too little/about right?
   Did you have more/less/same amount of homework as a child?
   Is it beneficial for your child or just a chore?
   What happens if homework is not done?
   Do you sit with your child and help? Do you do extra practice with your child on top of official homework (such as times tables, workbooks etc)?

Of course I will also give my own answers later on. And of course it should read "the amount of time spent on homework".

Private
year 3
every day
all subjects; from a couple of pages of maths, to cutting out and labelling skeletal parts in science, doing a comprehension, answering questions about a map etc etc.
Keeps a reading diary; they are encouraged to read daily and to read to a parent a couple of times a week doesn't work quite like that..
Spellings - 30 per week, given out on a particular day with the whole week to learn them therefore tested once a week.
How long ? varies from 5-10 minutes colouring something in a history book, to 30 mins maths (assuming a confident focussed pace).
Same rate of work all term, but none before a play/concert/day out.
No holiday homework.

This is more than I had as a child, but dd copes well and has plenty of time to play.
If she hasn't finished within 30 mins, or maybe 35 if she's nearly there and keen to finish, I make her stop and write in the home/school diary that she was tired or something to that effect. That's Ok with the school, but generally she'd be expected to catch up when less tired.
I don't help and don't do any extra work with her unless she's got a particular question she would like to take further. Dd likes maths in particular so often asks me extra things, so I oblige if I can. Overall though the school is very academic and I think she is covering plenty of ground already.

1. private

2. PP1 (reception) 3. Reading every night; some writing homework in holidays. 4a) See above 4b) Yes 4c) No 5a) Reading - about 5-10 minutes a night; holiday work takes about 30 minutes per week 5b) 1 reading book a night: ORT type 5c) None 6. If school event, slightly less 6a) some writing homework in holidays; holiday work takes about 30 minutes per week 7. Room for addional thoughts, comments, anything else you can think of, such as:

Enough for DD, was actually suprised not to have a bit more esp at weekends such as numeracy or written work
I had about the same I think; always had reading anyway
DD enjoys doing the reading and written work so not a chore. It is beneficial as it reinforces what she has learnt at school that day
Nothing this year; no idea later on in the school
Yes, I sit with DD whilst she reads allowed. I am in same room when doing written homework as she needs help with spelling.
Yes, we do extra work. DD likes doing the little workbooks and magazine activities, plus is enjoying independent writing a lot right now. We encourage this.

Forgot to say it's generally beneficial in that it is linked to work done at school ,not just random extra work given out for the sake of it. She doesn't seem to see it as onerous and works quite quickly through it.

did you knwo homeowrk has been shhown to hev NO BENEIFT whatsoever

NONE AT ALL
ALL TEH RESEARCH QUESTIONS ITS USEFULNESSA DN THE ANOUTN OF TIEM THE ADMIN TO DO WIHT IT TAKES OCMAPRED TO ELARNIGN BENEFITS

1. state

2. 3 & 1 3. 1 spelling test per week (Y3), 1 picture drawn per week (Y1 w. SN), v. occasional project work for the one in Y3 - maybe two per term 4b. yes, in YR/Y1 5a. 10-15 min per week 5b. n/a - always had v. keen readers and no guidance was given 5c. weekly 6. yes, less 6a. thankfully not

really don't agree with homework at primary level so am v. happy with this.

and as a teacher id raher have had an extra hour at schoool where they did work alone in their classrorom

lower inceom famileis struggle with allt he stuff ou need to haev adn schools struggle wiht sepigning ££ on copies and in some cases books

1. private or state? Private

2. Class year - Year 1 3. How often does your child get homework (e.g. every day, every other day, once a week)? Once a week 4a) which subjects and what type of homework? English, however this week has fractions 4b) reading as specific homework? 4c) spellings? about 5 or 6 to learn for the week 5a) How many minutes or hours does your child spend on homework a) per day b) per week (whatever applicable or easier to answer). 10 mins/week 5b) How much is your child supposed to read to you? Average mins per day/reading books per week (not counting any voluntary reading). Everynight, however books are soooo dire, we get our own from the library instead 5c) How many spelling tests? weekly 6. Is there less or no homework at the start or towards the end of term or if there is a school event? don't know 6a) Any holiday homework? only started having homework at Easter so not really any holidays.

7. Room for addional thoughts, comments, anything else you can think of, such as: Do you think it is too much/too little/about right? about right Did you have more/less/same amount of homework as a child? no homework only spelling until senior school Is it beneficial for your child or just a chore? we discuss the task and the possible answers before starting, I think he enjoys it. What happens if homework is not done? nothing Do you sit with your child and help? Do you do extra practice with your child on top of official homework (such as times tables, workbooks etc)? occassionally I do workbooks but only if bored in holidays etc and it's raining.

oops - meant state

1. private

2. Y5 3. Almost every day 4a) which subjects and what type of homework? 4b) reading as specific homework? 4c) spellings?

Spellings - given out one week, tested the next, should learn/practise each night if necessary
Reading - expected to read every evening
Tables - expected to learn
French/Maths/Geog/Science/History/English
French once per week
Maths - once per week
Others vary

5a) How many minutes or hours does your child spend on homework a) per day b) per week (whatever applicable or easier to answer).

5 minutes tops on most set homework but loves reading so does min 30 mins at bedtime for relaxation

5b) How much is your child supposed to read to you? Average mins per day/reading books per week (not counting any voluntary reading).

No longer a requirement as very fluent reader

5c) How many spelling tests?

One per week, approx 20 words

6. Is there less or no homework at the start or towards the end of term or if there is a school event?

Learning words for songs or lines for a play may replace homework at Harvest Festival/Christmas/Class assembly

Musical instrument practice, speech and drama, etc is always over and above those already mentioned.

6a) Any holiday homework?

Sometimes. Usually to continue to practise tables and read regularly, to get out and have fun and plenty of exercise.

7. Room for addional thoughts, comments, anything else you can think of

Don't help DD at all - well rarely.

PMSL recently when parent at school suggested DD has a tutor for out of school (was told by her son apparently).

Would rather children spent time in school doing 'prep' in well-resourced areas and never brought their work home with them.

. private or state?: Private
2. Class year: Yr 1
3. How often does your child get homework (e.g. every day, every other day, once a week)? : Every school day
4a) which subjects and what type of homework?: Reading and spelling
4b) reading as specific homework?: Unspecified amount from current reading book
4c) spellings? : 10 per week
5a) How many minutes or hours does your child spend on homework a) per day b) per week (whatever applicable or easier to answer). : 15 minutes per day
5b) How much is your child supposed to read to you? Average mins per day/reading books per week (not counting any voluntary reading). : None specified but we do about 15 minutes
5c) How many spelling tests? : One per week
6. Is there less or no homework at the start or towards the end of term or if there is a school event? : No it remains the same
6a) Any holiday homework? : No

7. Room for addional thoughts, comments, anything else you can think of, such as: Do you think it is too much/too little/about right? : I think it's about right as, apart from the 10 spelling words per week, it's very fluid. Sometimes we read a few pages, sometimes a whole book, sometimes nothing. Did you have more/less/same amount of homework as a child? : Less. Practically none until the last year of Primary. Is it beneficial for your child or just a chore? : Beneficial to consolidate reading What happens if homework is not done?: Nothing Do you sit with your child and help? :Yes. She reads to us. Do you do extra practice with your child on top of official homework (such as times tables, workbooks etc)? : Never

is it vcrap

yes

My DD:

1. private
2. Reception
3. About once a term for special reasons such as art comptetition/science week etc

4a) Usually something creative

4b) Brings home a reading book each night to be read at leisure
4c) No spellings
5a) She reads for about 5-10 minuites every few days

5b) Never been given an amount of time she is supposed to read.

5c) I don't think she has spelling tests

6. She sometimes doesn?t get a reading book if they have been out on a trip or had an event on.

6a) Half term and holidays she gets an extra library book.

Compare that to mey neice:

1.state?
2. Reception
3. Once a week
4a) Reading, spellings, craft, writing worksheets
4b) Reading yes
4c) spellings Yes
5a) About 10 mins reading per day plus up to half an houir on other stuff
5b) How much is your child supposed to read to you? Probably about 10mins per night
5c) 1 spelling test per week
6. Not sure about this answer
6a) Yes, extra project to be done in the holidays

I like the fact my child has no homework as it gives her plenty of time to pursue other interests such as music, dancing etc. My neice has to forgo leisure activities sometimes, eg she was not allowed to stay for tea one night as she had homework to do and on a Saturday morning when my dd is playing she has to do her homework.

1. private or state? PRIVATE

2. Class year Y1 3. How often does your child get homework (e.g. every day, every other day, once a week)? "homework" twice a week 4a) which subjects and what type of homework? Maths x1, English x1 (usually worksheet) 4b) reading as specific homework? They are supposed to read at home every night 4c) spellings? Tuesday night for the next tuesday. Number given varies according to child's ability 5a) How many minutes or hours does your child spend on homework a) per day b) per week (whatever applicable or easier to answer). Usually 5-10 minutes, 20 mins per week max. 5b) How much is your child supposed to read to you? Average mins per day/reading books per week (not counting any voluntary reading). No idea. whatever they can manage. 5c) How many spelling tests? one per week 6. Is there less or no homework at the start or towards the end of term or if there is a school event? still get homework 6a) Any holiday homework? not so far

7. Room for addional thoughts, comments, anything else you can think of, such as: Do you think it is too much/too little/about right? would rather have none, but not too bothered by it. Did you have more/less/same amount of homework as a child? I had much more homework at the same age in a similar type of school Is it beneficial for your child or just a chore? Not convinced it's beneficial but couldn't say it's a chore. What happens if homework is not done? We were told at the beginning of term not to worry if the kids have something better to do. (Homework only introduced this term). Do you sit with your child and help? not really, she often does it in the car when we are stuck in traffic.... Do you do extra practice with your child on top of official homework (such as times tables, workbooks etc)? DD has asked for workbooks in holidays as she likes this kind of thing. I just leave her to it unless she asks for an explanation/help.

SPELLIGN TESTS
another out date mode of leanring
i think you are a jounralist not a muma dn you are writing some piel of **8 for the daily mail abotu standards

reserach shows that speellign tests are not a GOOD way of elarnign spellgins

so any shcool that wastes tiem wiht htis had IDLE old fashioned teachers hwo dont try and keep up wiht educational research

Cod, you are reminding me why I chose my dd's school.

We got a note at the beginning of the year telling us they were no longer sending home lists of HFW's as they were of no benefit, they would teachthem to read the words via phonics and the use of books.

Private
Year 5
Once a week for each of maths, history, spellings, French vocab,French exercises Latin vocab
Occasional other subjects or special projects like looking up something

Consistency is chore-some but each piece is pretty easy and not more than 10-20 mins worth
Reading: always have a book on the go, have "reading rest" during the school day

1. private or state? private

2. Class year 5 3. How often does your child get homework (e.g. every day, every other day, once a week)? Every day except wednesday when they have 'Reading only' 4a) which subjects and what type of homework? Right across the board, H/W are timetables for specific days of the week 4b) reading as specific homework? Wednedsay only 4c) spellings? As required if there are tests 5a) How many minutes or hours does your child spend on homework a) per day b) per week (whatever applicable or easier to answer). 45 minutes a night, except Wednedays which is 20 minutes reading 5b) How much is your child supposed to read to you? Average mins per day/reading books per week (not counting any voluntary reading). I don't do this any more, she reads like an adult 5c) How many spelling tests? Varies 6. Is there less or no homework at the start or towards the end of term or if there is a school event? Consistant amount through the term. They don't give H/W if there is a school concert etc that night 6a) Any holiday homework? None and this is school policy, unless the child has SEN that would be helped by supportive wotk

That's interesting Cod. What is a good way of learning spellings? Poor DD1 (Yr1) has just slogged through the months of the year and the seasons.

i think in context
ds teahcer otld me all abotu it once( he was a primary advisor so knwos his eggs)

i think parents liek homeworkand spellgin tests and regard it as good practice cos it was liekt hat Ib Thier Day and therefore all was good

(tbh private schools can be very behind th time in keeping up wiht educational practice and SHOCKIGN wiht special needs if my nephew's expereince in a clifton private school si anythign to do wiht it - undiagnose till he was 9 adn tht was whne the parents went in)

sil and BIl look aaghast at termly over views we get

the level of parental in vlvement adn feedback
parent seminars

Ga nt T provision

all they get i s farkign summer ball

I agree Cod, although it can have its benefits. The teacher giving a 'learning to read' presentation a couple of weeks ago pointed out that the current enthusiasm for phonics was interesting, but as a school they had never stopped using them. I can just imagine a 1970s Cod huffing about how hopelessly behind the times private schools were in refusing to move over to the clearly superior 'whole word' or 'whole language' approach!

I suspect that spelling lists and tests are useful as part of a much wider approach to learning how to spell. When you get to a word like 'autumn', I'm not sure there is any other way to attack it.