Would love honest answers...

[RamonaThePest]

I did not go to school here.

Where I went to school there was basically no homework (except reading books) until I was eleven or twelve. Even then it was not much.

My child has just done KS1 SATS and I did no additional work with them besides school homework and reading.

Now it seems that other mothers are letting me know just how much additional work they did.

So far I have heard of:

• kumon classes
• tutors
• using booklets for scheduled sessions at home each week
• daily multiplication practise, etc

My child is very happy but I worry that by taking my homeland approach I have let them down.

Honestly and hand-on-heart what additional out-of-school work do you all do with your KS1/KS2 children? Please??

Thank you everyone. A range of answers.

Most posters on Mumsnet including myself did not do homework when they were in primary school either. It was unheard of when I was at school to have homework other than spellings. I do not even remember being allowed to take reading books home from school, and I was born and bred in London.

We did get homework in secondary school, but never in primary school. I am not sure when homework has become common in British primary schools. My dd1 is in Y5, and when she started at primary school they had a no homework policy. Then a new head started, and she had some homework in Y2-Y4, but not every week and rarely spellings. Her Y5 teacher loves homework and piles it on.

I think what has happened is that some schools started setting homework about 10 years ago (earlier than that in private sector). Then parents at schools that did not set homework fretted about whether their children were falling behind when the school up the road had homework. Now homework is found in many primary schools. However, there are still some schools that have a no homework policy.

Primary schools were told by the Government in 1998 they should have a homework policy with guidance for how long each year group should spend on homework

Government homework information

Recommended time for homework
Every school will consider how much time is appropriate for pupils at each stage, according to their aptitude. The Government's recommended time allocation, based on current good practice, is set out in Homework: Guidelines for Primary Schools and Secondary Schools, as follows;

Years 1 and 2

1 hour per week

Reading, spelling, other literacy work and number work

Years 3 and 4

1.5 hours per week

Literacy and numeracy as for years 1 and 2, with occasional assignments in other subjects

Years 5 and 6

30 minutes per day

Regular weekly schedule with continued emphasis on literacy and numeracy, but also ranging widely over the curriculum

When DS was in yr 2 we did reading book every night plus any homework set by school (usually small amount of literacy or maths). We didn't do anything else.
I only know of one family in my DS class who employed a tutor at that age.

None other than reading books, and from next year he'll start getting occasional school homework (they get one 20 minute task a week set in year 1, two in year 2, and so forth). I'll probably help him practice his times tables when he gets to that point, although I think the school will ask us to do that so perhaps it counts as school homework.

We do read a fair bit, but for fun not as "work". Anything structured outside school tends to be physical in nature (he does judo and swimming at the moment) as DS has a lot of energy and we have no garden. IMO any time that's left over doesn't need me to fill it with extra Stuff and learning to occupy his own time is probably a more valuable skill anyway.

I suppose if there were something in particular that he just wasn't getting the hang of, and asking the school wasn't getting us anywhere, and I couldn't explain it myself, then I wouldn't be opposed to using a tutor to help DS with it. But it would be a last resort.

My niece's primary school, however, was crap. She would have really benefited from some targeted tutoring in maths to make up for the deficiencies in the teaching she was getting at school. But she's managed to get into a "good" secondary that with any luck will make up for what she's missed.

I have twins in Y1 and a dd in Rec. I hear them all read every night and they get some phonic work every week. That's all I do and I struggle with that to be honest. I am fortunate that all 3 are on the ball and doing well. I like all 3 to be in bed by 7.30 so there is a limit,I'd rather they were in bed at that time or playing outside as I feel this is far more beneficial.

I've never done any numeracy with them what so ever and strangely they're both in the top groups,no idea why.

My 2 in Y1 are boys so I don't want them to hate schoolwork at an early age. 1 of my boys is an exceptional reader and reads constantly,his spelling is very good too and he's into making his own books at his desk on his own. He's very computer literate too and makes spread sheets etc

His twin is science mad and we've just made sure they all have loads of science books/equipment etc. We talk a lot and answer every question,do museums,galleries when we can.We live near moors,sea and woods which we're always on so they learn masses there.

I might do some handwriting practise, the library reading thing and a few spellings in the summer hols when/if we have more time but in the term time we just don't have the time. As an ex KS1 teacher I have to say the benefits of early nights,the outdoors and quality play are underestimated at all ages.

I didn't do any homework when I was at Primary School either, so I really baulked when DH wanted to do more than just the school homework with the DC. I hate the idea of hot-housing them at such an early age.

However, they have both benefited from doing little and often with stuff which needs practice - like times tables and spellings. Usually originally given by the school, but we expand on it if necessary. And of course the chatting and visits etc.

It sounds like you have done a great job with reading - if you can fit in a 5-10mins a day slot for practising other stuff and your DS enjoys it, then do that too. It also sets up good habits for when they get older

My DS (year 3) gets no homework apart from weekly spellings. However, the school has made it clear that the parents need to teach their children timestables and how to tell the time as "there is not enough time in the curriculum" . I have also noticed that my very numerate DS's mental maths is very shaky because he spends so little time in school doing basic arithmetic. Poor DS, therefore, does a daily arithmetic worksheet (about 10mins) as well as timestable practice. Additionally, I try and play maths games with him to consolidate what he is supposed to be learning in school.

My Y1 DS2 gets a handwriting/spelling (combined) sheet each weekend, a comprehension sheet each weekend, and reading every night. My Y3 DS1 gets a literacy homework sheet that is meant to take 1/2 an hour, and a numeracy sheet that is meant to also take 1/2 an hour, plus 30 mins quiet reading at least 3 times a week. When he gets into Y5, he will also have a science homework once a week. (I know this as my DD went through the school). God only knows when I'm meant to fit all this in, as well as helping my DD with her h/wk as she has learning difficulties and can't do the work without guidance, and another one on the way. I'm quite sure I didn't have that amount of homework in primary school, and it hasn't left me incapable of reading or writing....

My dd gets almost no homework - now she is in year 3 she has had occasional (say 5 or 6 over the school year) things home - generally to 'find out something about X' and write a list of ideas. I think these are then used as a starting point for class work.

At home - very little - we have just this year done a little spelling practice as dd really struggles with writing, and because she picked up reading very fast she seemed to somehow miss the whole phonics thing. Maybe 10 minutes a day for a couple of weeks last term, that is about it.

I would say that we are typical, AFAIK none of dd's friends are doing anything out of school apart from their reading books.

My dd2 is 7 and in Y2.

We do nothing very little at home with regards to schoolwork.

I have a real battle of conscience with it actually.

On one hand, I think at only 7 years old she should be enjoying herself playing and running about the garden, and on the other hand I think that if we put the same amount of effort into her schoolwork that we did into dd1's (who struggles academically) then she would be flying high.
She does well at school so I kind of just let her, and the school, get on with it.

It's still one of my many guilt trips though ...

katycarr I was just wondering, the projects you do with your DD - they sound fab (I bet she'd like lapbooking), the kind of thing we did with DH's DDs and what we'll do with our own DCs. Does the school object, or are they full of praise about it? Some schools seem to get a bit snotty about parents supplementing the school IYSWIM.

Ramona - you can have a quiet chuckle at the parents talking about Kumon. Money down the drain!

Quattro love the snappy comeback

Ramona - I am usually of the "home is for fun not for schoolwork" brigade - the thought of doing so much extra atuff with one child that it infuences your decision to have another boggles my mind - but one thing you said set my alarm bells ringing.

"apparently they had predicted a 1A and in fact my child will be a secure 3."

If this is right, then this shows a significant failure by the teacher - 1A in year 2 SATS is well below average - level 3 is well above. I would be talking to the Head about this on Monday morning if I were you - don't let it pass.

We do nothing formal, beyond making sure that any set homework gets done. And their school doesn't set a lot of homework.

We do some vaguely academic stuff as a result of following their interests. DD1 is in Brownies and working on some badges, which can involve writing, designing posters and such like. I might get them to do some sums, measuring and such like in the course of cooking, shopping etc. But only as part of daily life.

FWIW DD1 is comfortably at the top of her class (Yr3). DD2 is in Reception so a bit early to tell, but her teacher has no concerns.

You sound like you are doing fine to me. We do homework with DS and that's it. Having tuition or Kumon is no guarantee of being more of a success in later life.

We do other things with DS though, but usually led by him. He has joined Beavers and is quite keen on getting badges. Recently he has been asking for Letts Fun Farmyard Learning books which he loves.

Home is for fun.

Ramona - I am a Headteacher of a primary school: homework is always a tricky subject as some parents like lots and some like none. Teachers only want to set and mark stuff that is actually useful (so if your DCs children aren't setting HW then they don't think it will benefit your child). Sometimes we recommend Kumon or those books you get in WHSmiths etc for parents who are absolutely insistent that they want their child to do more HW. It probably doesn't do any harm but they don't help much either. The children who do best at school are those who parents talk to them! It's incredibly obvious when children have good quality conversation every day: their thinking, questioning, and vocabulary are streets ahead of others who don't get this. It doesn't have to be hard work - talk about things that happened in your day or something from the news (if they are old enough). Ask them what they think, and be prepared to debate and discuss, get them to justify their point of view etc.

Talk and books: that's all they need. Sad thing is so few children get it...

silverflower your post brought a lump to my throat.

I think homework in KS1 should consist of spending 10 minutes outdoors every day of the week, regardless of the weather, so children experience rain on their faces, noses tingling with cold, wild wind through their hair, etc away from the centrally-heated home/school or the air-conditioned car. (Obviously kids who walk to school get this anyway - lucky them!) This is real education IMO. My ds is in reception and I abhor formal homework for primary school children.

And of course, as silverflower says, talk and books. Homework should be curling up on the sofa with a loving adult for 10mins a day chatting about life IMO

I dunno about snappy comebacks - think my first post was a bit too quick and lazy. My DCs go to independent schools and the schools are both academically selective and rigorous. Therefore I feel comfortable in leaving it all to them and not engaging too much.

Were they to be at schools that were failing them in some way - would I be anxious about this? You bet! Would I be assiduously covering the academics for them to cover the school's failings? Certainly. Would I hire a tutor? Absolutely. So I think it depends on the school.

I'm absolutely with Silverflower, talk, museums, talk, books and more books. If they express an interest in anything then we go with it large style until everyone is sick to death of it. We also watch loads of edu-tainment programmes, the BBC's science series, anything on Quest, and read lots of Horrible Science/Histories.

Thank you all again.

Seeker, yes, those figures (1A and 3) are right. Can't really say more without identifying myself.

Wildspinning - we walk to school (20 minutes each way) so I am passing that test at least!

Homework set by school and a tutor for 1 hour at weekends to reinforce and help with confidence. He's a Summer baby and has struggled to 'find his feet' at school. She is great, makes learning fun and is 1-2-1. My ds2 is 7.

My 8-year-old daughters both have a maths tutor, and I make sure they read as often as possible - not that I really have to, as they read all the time for their own enjoyment, which has greatly advanced their vocabulary. I don't honestly think that setting them structured work myself is beneficial to them in any way. They need to grow up and develop themselves; a loving home, lots of books, regular interaction, and a fantastic school can achieve those things.

I have a ds in year 2 and a dd in year 6.
My ds is given homework each week, we do not complete it as I feel he is too young for it and when he goes to junior school in Sept he will get homework every week, we do read every night.

dd gets homework twice a week, we don't do anything extra. If she was struggling with anything we would but she is doing well so there is no need.

We are in Wales, so don't have SATS, but I have children in Year 2, Year 1 and Reception.

They don't get a lot of homework, all three get a reading book and one short piece (15 mins maybe) of work a week.

I don't do anything formal over and above that. They have those practice work book things (like this) with lots of different activities in, but I don't push them to do them they just pick them up as and when they feel like it. The older two read a lot, DS1 reads both fiction and factual books and DS2 devours fiction like its going out of fashion. But again, this is their choice. The youngest likes to be read to, and is starting to read herself. We do play board games etc together, they have a lot of Orchard Toys ones which could be deemed as educational, but we play them as a fun thing to do rather than as a way of teaching them.

I couldn't imagine having a tutor for a 7 year old!

Oh and we do stuff like museums, walks in the forest etc where I guess they are learning a lot, but we don't think of it as teaching them!