how much homework/study time should we expect for S4 for National 5s?

[OneMagnumisneverenough]

As above, DS1 starts S4 and 7 national 5s in a couple of weeks. Hasn't had much homework up til now.. we need to manage his expectations of how much he will be able to sit gaming compared to now :)

I've been a bit shocked by the intensity of the s4/nat 5 year tbh. It sounds like your DS's school is tackling it the same way as my DD's school - starting nat 5s at start of senior school study leave so really just 7 or 8 months before they sit their mock exams. Also most subjects have a massive assignment part (30-50%) which caused some amount of stress in our house. Tbf my DD is one who puts pressure on herself so your DS might cope better. I just worry about next year! Good luck.

It is an intense and challenging year- but much better preparation for Higher than the predecessors. If he can get into good habits early in S4 your DS could prevent the deadline "bottle necks" that we are finding occur for some pupils towards Prelims and then at the end of spring term when many Folios and assignments all fall due at once.

My (academic minimalist) DD2 downloaded the study app from SQA which helped her to take into account her hobbies, socialising, subjects she liked, ones she found difficult etc and used this to manage her time.

Early in the course, prior to summer holidays, aim for 2 hours per subject per week, spread out over evenings and weekends. Your DS can then up this as/if required. BBC Bitesize is getting better in terms of revision resources and there are now a much better selection of "How to Pass..." and other publications available - which will flood Amazon as the current cohort sit their exams this year.

He can also be strategic. If he finds out what texts he will be covering in English, what topics he'll be exploring in Social Subjects he can read up, watch documentaries in advance.

Thanks both. Sorry for not replying earlier. We are on holiday with no mobile signal and dodgy WiFi.

2 hours per subject is 2 hours a day! That's going to be tough in amongst activities and also dofe.

School is very academic so I am hoping that it must be possible to do well, he isn't stupid and is a bit more conscientious than DS2 who is about to go into S3. Thanks for the info 're websites, I'll look those up when we get home.

I must be a scary teacher and evil maw but I don't think 2 hours per night is excessive. My DD1 competitive swimmer so massive training and competition commitments used to do an hour when she came home from school (after snacking and a wee relax) then the second hour after training. 2 hours each weekend day still gives them lots of time for socialising and activities - she'd do past papers at galas.

We don't get back from school till after 4. If we deduct time off for dinner and supper, then that leaves about 4 hours each evening. Monday's he does his dofe volunteering, including travel that's 2 hours. Tuesday he only has music practice so about an hour. Wednesday he has life saving, including travel and changing etc is over 2 hours. Thursday music practice plus badminton after school so about 2 and a half hours. Friday explorers which is 2 and a half hours. He has the gym/swimming at the weekend plus music practice but he has a lot of weekend camps as well as dofe practice etc. Add in family visits and so on, I think 14 hours will be a lot to fit in. Maybe I'm not tough enough :(

He sounds as busy as my girls! Organisation will be key for him- can he read whilst travelling? Record his notes on his phone and listen back to them in the car? All those activities will be contributing to an awesome UCAS personal statement. Guess you'll just need to see how he finds the complexity when the courses start. Is he good at using his planner and does he keep you in the loop with deadlines etc? You will be able to help him prioritise and keep on top of things but only if you're informed.

He gets car sick unfortunately, but recording stuff might work. He has chosen English, maths, physics, geography, computing science, engineering science and Art. He desperately wanted graph comm too (instead of geography) but the timetable wouldn't allow. He'd have liked to keep up a language and music as well :) So he has a fair amount of practical subjects where learning facts and figures is going to feature less than some others I think.
He has managed his own time and homework since he's been about 7. I do ask but he rarely seems to have any.
He has said before that he often does it at the end of class while others are finishing their work. His Art teacher was shocked that he had never brought anything home to work on giving the amount of stuff in his folder. Why the art teacher has no idea how much he does in class is a whole other story!
It's good that they keep themselves busy and out of trouble :)
He may be borderline aspergers so we are wondering whether uni would be the best route for him or whether we should encourage him to try to get a good apprenticeship instead. He won't interview well and at least at 17 he would have the excuse of immaturity.