"Forcing" DS to do "independent study"

[Complainer183]

I recently went to DS' consultation evening, and I was told by one of his teacher's that he was not completing the work they set him. I told said teacher that if it has not been set specifically by the teacher has homework, then it is up to DS whether or not the work is useful to him.

I should add that DS is naturally quite intelligent (A*s in all the A Levels he took) and has always taken responsibility for his own work. What should I do?

Who is setting it if it isn't teachers?

Leave him to it. He is responsible for his own learning. You can tell him what you were told by the teacher then he can choose whether to complete it or not. I assume if he has completed his A levels he must be around age 17? He is a bit to old for you to be making him do his homework!

It was set by teachers but the point is it wasn't set as homework, but as something which would make him perform better in his exams, although, given he got 4 A's this year, I'm sure he is probably feeling somewhat vindicated

It sounds to me like a bright child is being given opportunities to stretch and excel. If all that is wanted is the grade and he can get it without then fine. But learning is more then grades, isn't it just as important to always try your best with the talents you have? By refusing to do this work is he throwing away an opportunity to shine, to reach that bit higher, try that bit harder, - an attitude that will hold him in good stead in work and life?

So he's taken 4 A levels and got A*s
Why is he still at school?
And how recently was this meeting given it's the end of August?

Perhaps the OP is talking about parents' evenings at university?

What university has parents evenings? And in August?

All a bit confusing.

I told said teacher that ... it is up to DS whether or not the work is useful to him.

So why are you bothering us with it, then?
Is this a genuine request for help or a stealth boast. It is not a good idea on MN to make your first post so inflammatory because you won't be cut much slack.

”All a bit confusing.”

It’s massively confusing - to me anyway, Snow.

First, he has A*s in all the A Levels he took.

Next, he got 4 A's this year.

Please make up your mind what he’s got, OP.

And what kind of school is this, having parents consultation evening after the exams when all is over and it’s curtains?

If you’re for real OP (and I don’t see how it is), why bother attending the consultation evening when you’re not prepared to listen to what his teacher(s) had to say about things that concerned him?

And, if he only got 4 A's this year, then he most certainly should not feel, and he is not, vindicated.

ssssssssstealth boast.

He is being given extension work to expand his depth and breath of understanding, and to enhance his applications. Its a bit silly of him not to do it. He won't find himself being spoon fed like this when he is older. If he were wise he would take advantage of the guidance he is being given right now. It's not all about the grades you know. Everyone completes at their own level. He will be competing with others that have the same grades, and will need to show he has that little something extra.

Is it AS level? leading on to Full A levels?