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Primary education

Join our Primary Education forum to discuss starting school and helping your child get the most out of it.

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Original poster

How much, if any, holiday homework do your DCs get?

57 replies

Growlithe · 08/07/2013 22:53

Following on from another thread, I've only just realised that not every school gives out holiday homework.

DD has been getting it since Y2 to Y3. This year, Y4 to Y5, it seems to have stepped up a gear.

Other MNetters have pointed out that their DCs don't get any at all.

Do yours, just out of interest?

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Tiggles · 08/07/2013 23:01

From year 3 ours get a project to complete over half terms, but not over the summer.

Jinsei · 08/07/2013 23:02

Ours do. :(

SaidFlorence · 08/07/2013 23:03

None, and if they did, I wouldn't let them do it anyway.

insanityscratching · 08/07/2013 23:06

None here but are expected to read regularly throughout the holidays. I wouldn't want to have to get them to do homework during holidays tbh.

numbum · 08/07/2013 23:09

Just saw your reply to me on the other thread.

No ours don't have holiday homework! Seems a bit like an adult taking a much longed for 2 week holiday from work but being told they have to complete a project while they're supposed to be relaxing and enjoying themselves

valiumredhead · 08/07/2013 23:10

Ds is 12-none holidays are holidays.

Original poster

Growlithe · 08/07/2013 23:13

The rationale we were originally given was that it was recommended because it helps minimise the 'dip' they get during the summer holidays. It was presented to us as the done thing. I'm so surprised.

OP posts:

maillotjaune · 08/07/2013 23:28

No, none here. My older 2 always get homework done (with varying degrees of enthusiasm) but I get quite cross when anything more than reading is set in holidays. That includes half term - it's a holiday.

Even if a 'dip' happens, surely a proper break renews enthusiasm for next term which helps counter it.

Picturesinthefirelight · 08/07/2013 23:32

No holiday homework at the children's prep school.

DorisIsWaiting · 08/07/2013 23:33

Dc's both have a whole school project for the summer (they set sunflower seeds and then ate chellenged to grow them taller than themselves recording their progress however they choose).

MissAnnersley · 08/07/2013 23:41

No holiday homework here. I wouldn't make DS do it if it was set. Holidays are family time, for recharging and having fun.

Original poster

Growlithe · 08/07/2013 23:43

This is a state school, albeit an 'outstanding' school which is a feeder for grammar.

The homework pack is currently in DD's desk in her bedroom. I'll have a look at it again tomorrow when she isn't there and post what she's got to do this summer. I've had a proper look at the maths stuff and it's a lot. Maybe not six weeks worth of normal homework but 3-4 weeks. I'll have a look at the english too.

DD likes doing homework usually, so we should get it done on a few rainy days. But annoyed that it's only us now.

OP posts:

chickensaladagain · 08/07/2013 23:45

Dd is moving from primary to high school this summer
The high school has set homework for her to do over the summer

A research project
A diary entry & holiday blog

I'm not impressed

Primary has never set holiday homework

singinggirl · 09/07/2013 08:12

We have never had holiday homework, although DS2 will need to keep up to speed for his 11+ over this summer, which is the second week of September, so he needs to be able to hit the ground running. Don't know if DS1 (Y7 at Grammar School) will have any homework, but I doubt it since even they seem to be pulling back on the homework towards the end of term.

JiltedJohnsJulie · 09/07/2013 08:16

Ours don't. Last year DS ended up with a supply teacher who gave sone out. When we said they'd never had any before she checked with the other staff and didn't give any out again.

Interestingly, my dn is given lots but I think mine end up doing more because they get to choose what they read and do.

2cats2many · 09/07/2013 08:20

We'll get a maths challenge (which is more like a competition really) and readibg will be expected.

CaptainSweatPants · 09/07/2013 08:22

Just reading

But we do the library summer reading challenge which stops the dip

Wheresmycaffeinedrip · 09/07/2013 08:24

Im hoping none. There was none last year but that was reception so it's wait and see. We will keep up the reading and maybe do some numeracy if she wants but I intend on her actually getting to play. Sick of homework battles and can't face six weeks of it.

TheMagicKeyCanFuckOff · 09/07/2013 08:26

Ours do.

DD1 doesn't (just done GCSEs)

DD2 does- she has to complete 6 papers in maths, an essay on Macbeth (5 pages long or so apparently), a history project on Black Death (probably just a larger leaflet though), a geography poster, a RE essay on Reincarnation, and also complete the science investigation analysis/conclusion. I was stunned at it all and a bit She's 13 though.

DS- a leaflet on the environment and two weeks worth of maths homework. for him too.

DaddyPigsMistress · 09/07/2013 08:34

10 year old ds's schcool does but they really do emphasize that its optional and if they dont want to it's fine.
They do:

Holiday diary
Reading challange.( different amount of books for each year group)
they all get given a maths work book that if they compleate they get stickers when they go back

mameulah · 09/07/2013 08:36

Set up a really, really enticing rewards system that means she gets it done and gets it out of the way.

For example, if you get x and y done this week you get a really big prize. If you get only x done you get only a big prize.

Honestly you so don't want that hanging over your whole holidays.

When your daughter has done it pack it all away in a safe place and forget about it until you are getting her new school uniform sorted.

Holiday homework is a total imposition on your family life and I would say that you are more than within your rights to start campaigning to get it stopped.

The school could easily replace that with a holiday pack for parents that would give good ideas about how to enhance learning during the holidays. For example, estimating how long journeys are going to take, how many jugs of water to fill up a paddling pool, following a recipe to make something.

Good luck!

MadeOfStarDust · 09/07/2013 08:44

DD2 going up to secondary has - just a reading one - read any book and do two out of about 20 things - from a character profile, to finding out reading habits in your family, create a collage, mood board, book advert/poster etc...

redskyatnight · 09/07/2013 08:47

DC at 2 different schools and not normally any holiday homework from either.

DD is moving to a new school in September and she's been given homework of sorts - but it's literally to collect together a few items that are special to her that she can talk about in September (an icebreaker type activity with her new class).

I think holiday homework is unecessary at primary level.

Elibean · 09/07/2013 09:38

dd1 in Y4 has never had any holiday homework. Her excellent teacher believes in hard work during term time, and holidays during holidays

dd2 in Y1 has had small tasks to do, but they are optional.

Tiggles · 09/07/2013 10:14

I think holidays should be holidays. If I'm on holiday from work I don't bring my work home with me. It annoys me when I book a week away for half terms so we can go an explore museums or see family (they live abroad) etc and then find the boys have projects to do where they are expected to write pages and pages.

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