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Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

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Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

Secondary education

Secondary School Homework - Can they make you "spend" money

34 replies

ees3dc · 12/06/2015 14:07

My daughter is in year 10 at secondary school and for history homework has to visit a castle. Those who don't must make two models of a castle rather than one.

So it seems to me that families without transport are being penalized or pressured into taking a trip to the nearest castle (30 mile round trip) for a Yr10 homework assignment. I'm thinking of only letting my daughter take one castle homework and a letter saying she will not be pressured into taking a trip at our expense.

What also winds me up is that my elder daughter sitting GCSEs at the same school tells me her Science teacher is an R.E teacher and they watch videos in lessons of Downton Abbey! (she's pretty sensible and would not exagerate).

Any thoughts?

OP posts:

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BertrandRussell · 12/06/2015 14:09

Year 10 homework is making a model of a castle? You must be joking!

ees3dc · 12/06/2015 14:13

Apologies, its Yr 8. I will never get used to this new numbering system. Eldest is in year 10.

OP posts:

Heels99 · 12/06/2015 14:14

I would be calling school to discuss both those issues.

starfish4 · 12/06/2015 14:26

It does seem hard on them having to make two castles - all my DD had to do was name the sources she got information from to make up her model and the details. Is the school going to know if they've been to a castle? The only alternative is to ask another girl's Mum if she can take your DD and maybe in return they can have the mess of making the castle at yours or another favour.

I think I'd be asking the question, what has Downton Abbey got to do with science?!

ees3dc · 12/06/2015 14:34

The teacher said that unless the child appears in the photo next to the castle, they must bring in two models.

OP posts:

TwiceAsNiceAsIceAndaSlice · 12/06/2015 14:37

Spydra · 12/06/2015 14:37

Got any photos of a previous visit to a castle she can use? I'd be tempted to pretend - get her to watch some You tube tours!

Tokelau · 12/06/2015 14:51

Can you photoshop her onto a photo of a castle?

I agree though, that they shouldn't have to visit a castle or make an extra model. Plenty of parents don't have transport for that sort of visit, or have to work weekends, or have other commitments. If they are so desperate for the children to visit a castle, why not have a school trip there?

BertrandRussell · 12/06/2015 14:51

I suspect the teacher might have been joking. Is it a male teacher with a "dad" sense of humour?

TheDietStartsTomorrow · 12/06/2015 14:59

Don't fake pictures. Why should you have to? They can't demand you go to a castle and it does seem unfair to penalise by doubling the homework. If it was an alternative homework, like research features of a famous castle or something, which would help bridge the gap between those who attend and those who don't then I might be more willing to say YABU but this is clearly pressuring.

I wouldn't even send a note. Your DD might have to take some stick for it in class. I'd phone in and discuss it with the head.

And Downton in science lessons? WTH! It's not even passable as a lazy history lesson.

NotAddictedToNCIS · 12/06/2015 21:13

WTH? I'd probably be tempted to tell them where they can shove their trip to a castle..... But honestly? Just fake a pic.

RedandYellow24 · 12/06/2015 21:19

sounds like the punishment for not having parents who can pay for trip is making second castle. I would be having words with the school if it is essential should be a school trip

littlenicky61 · 12/06/2015 21:36

think my second castle would be a sand castle - bloody cheek of school I think

LotusLight · 12/06/2015 21:38

It sounds silly. What about those of us with 5 children who work full time and work at weekends. We couldn't be taking 5 children on 5 trips because a school required it! I've never heard of this at the private schools ours go to.

TheFallenMadonna · 12/06/2015 21:43

Your eldest daughter watching videos of Downton Abbey in Science lessons less than a year before her GCSE exams would seem to me to be your biggest issue. I would be prioritising that.

GasLIghtShining · 12/06/2015 21:52

Punishing children because parents haven't got the money to pay for a trip.

if it is that important it should be taken as a school trip with requests for voluntary contributions

BeaufortBelle · 12/06/2015 22:42

What is wrong with being asked to visit a castle? Doesn't the visiting the castle make it feel more real?

I don't really understand the point of the thread to be honest.

ArcheryAnnie · 12/06/2015 22:53

Because making parents spend a lot of money and time on a trip, and punishing with extra homework the kids whose parents can't afford it, all seems a tad unreasonable, BeaufortBelle.

GasLIghtShining · 12/06/2015 23:41

What Annie said

BertrandRussell · 12/06/2015 23:58

Because there will be kids whose parents don't have the time, money transport or inclination to take them to visit a castle.

StupidBloodyKindle · 13/06/2015 00:07

Not good no. Anything like thatU would have set as an either/or. Either visit a castle and do a presentation/brochure on it OR do a model. Virtual tours/youtube clips a good compromise.
But I worked in deprived areas so knew such things had to be an optional as castle admission might be food bill. As others have said, why is he not doing a trip?
You could be a smart arse and take a photo of DD next to a locked front door. With the title 'An English man's home is his castle'. She could even explain why that is the case comparing key chain with drawbridge, fencing with moat etc

Whichseason · 13/06/2015 09:31

Which exam board are they doing to be making models of castle? What is going on with Downton Abbey was in a couple of minute clip which related to an in class joke or were they watching the all eposide?

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muminhants1 · 15/06/2015 14:15

What happens if she does neither - ie no model and no visit? A detention for not doing the homework at all?

And even if you don't live in a deprived area you can't presume to know that all parents have the money to visit a castle - even in the richest area, not everyone is rich.

Plus the fact that making the model will cost as well - you need the materials. And a model is art, not history.

Davros · 15/06/2015 16:01

DD was asked to visit an art gallery twice for holiday art homework. It's not a problem for us but I resented being told what to do in our holidays! We didn't go it the first time as she forgot to tell me, did it the last time at lical arts centre. Never heard any feedback about any of it

TheFallenMadonna · 15/06/2015 20:02

I frequently encourage my students to visit the (free) museums in our nearest town. They are excellent, and I'm sad so few of them have been. We do organise some trips, but the cost of a coach and cover for staff makes it a more expensive for the school to run than parents often.

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