Lazy boys starting Y9 in Sept

[Oddsocks15]

Any help, advice, support for the age old problem of lazy boys! I have twin boys who start Y9 in September. They have chosen their options (identical subjects, but not planned that way) which they will start in September.

Just had their end of term report home and they "need to improve" and/or "below target" on some of the subjects they have chosen plus some of the core subjects.
Like a lot of boys, they don't enjoy writing and this is reflected in their results in English, geography etc whereas Maths, IT is a LOT better.

I know they aren't "high flyers", but they are smarter than results show but they are lazy. I know lots of you on MN have similar experiences, is it just a case of maturity? I know kids can dip at end of Y8, so hoping that has a part to play too.

i tend to use carrots rather than sticks to motivate them, but did spell it out to them that need to pull their fingers out.

Any glimmers of hope, or am I going to be pulling my hair out for the next few years?

As a teacher and the owner of a lazy Y9 boy: very clear rules are the way forward.
Fixed timed for homework and no [whatever they like] until homework has been signed off by you.
Bedtime at x o'clock, no more screens, reading until lights out.
Make sure they don't fob you off with "we have no homework". That is always the least likely...
Bribe with food and gained screentime.
Good luck, Year 9s are notorious for a reason!

Acopyofacopy thanks for the advice, always good to hear from a teacher. Don't tell me that Y9s are notorious, hoping age will bring maturity and a sudden realisation they need to work hard! liking the food bribes, hadn't thought of that