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

[ees3dc]

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?

[BarbarianMum]

You are unhappy about taking your dd 15 miles to visit a castle even though it will undoubtedly make learning about them more interesting? Maybe she could go on her own or with a friend?

Or send in your letter by all means. I'm sure knowing that your dd has missed out on a valuable educational experience will give her teacher long, sleepless nights

[lljkk]

Castle models can be pretty simple?
Everything is 15 miles away for us, and we live in southern England.

[Lancelottie]

Make castle. Photograph child by model castle. If feeling clever, put model castle very near the camera and child further away.

[leccybill]

Bouncy castle is a superb idea.

[Momzilla82]

Erm. how would a photo of them at a bouncy CASTLE go down? With a description of the typical features of a castle (mound, turrets etc) that you didn't manage to find on your excursion?!?

Teacher is being a prick. I'd be tempted to point out why this was unfair

[mummytime]

30 mile round trip doesn't sound far to me... thats just 15 miles away - is public transport difficult? Does it have to be that castle? Are any friends going, could you and a friends parents do a deal: so one of you takes 2 of them to the castle?

[Leeds2]

That is a fabulous idea!

[Iwantacampervan]

My youngest made a model of a castle in year 8 out of chocolate cake - there were several cake creations brought in!

[Leeds2]

We get suggestions for educational activities during the summer holiday, typically museums, castles, art galleries to visit, books to read, lectures to attend, musical recitals to go to etc. Most are free, although cost to get there. They suggest each DC do at least 3, and the list always says that DC will be asked what they have done when they go back to school in September. DD is in Lower Sixth, and hasn't yet been asked!

I think requiring DC to go to a castle is a bit off. They are not always easily accessible (not everyone has a car), and it can be expensive to pay the entrance fees. Can't imagine many Year 8s wanting to make a model of a castle either.

It's sad the students don't make the most of those opportunities, FallenMadonna.

[TheFallenMadonna]

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.

[Davros]

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

[muminhants1]

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.

[Whichseason]

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?

[StupidBloodyKindle]

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

[BertrandRussell]

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

[GasLIghtShining]

What Annie said

[ArcheryAnnie]

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.

[BeaufortBelle]

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.

[GasLIghtShining]

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

[TheFallenMadonna]

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.

[LotusLight]

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.

[littlenicky61]

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

[RedandYellow24]

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

[NotAddictedToNCIS]

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

[TheDietStartsTomorrow]

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.