homework for year 7/8

[Sparklemez]

I am a social worker for a girl in yr 8 and a boy in yr 10 of the same school: neither child gets homework and both say it's the norm that nobody gets homework for any class except once in a blue moon...

Is it fairly normal not to get much homework in yr 8? I can't imagine it is for yr 10. As the girl is struggling to catch up after a few chaotic years I need to find a way of making the school support her academically more as soon as poss, and want to know if I should be kicking up a fuss about the homework thing.

Even the poor girl agrees she'd like it as it would help her catch up, and she's far from being a nerd!!

I would ask for a homework timetable perhaps, so you know what homework should be set each day. And if the HoY or whoever deals with that sort of thing lets all their teachers know that it;s being asked about, that would probably encourage it to be set if it isn;t. But no - I would say it is unusual IME for there to be no homework at all.

Very unusual. Ring up pastoral manager and ask. If they are very low ability it is possible but it sunds like there is something unny going on.

They should be getting about 40 minutes a night in year 8. I agree that is she in a lower set she may not get very much although they should.

I agree with the above advice to contact head of year or house and ask for a homework timetable.

Thanks for feedback. We have 6 monthly education meetings with the school, young person and foster carers: Head of year was asked about setting more homework three months ago. Will send stern e-mail after Easter hols. Seems rubbish that the children who need more education are getting less!! She's not special needs or anything so no need for excusing her.

I agree entirely, you definitely need to raise this again.

It depends on the school. Some schools don't do homework, but set bigger projects in rotation. I would ask to speak to the head of year (or equivalent)and ask them to explain the school policy. You can also ask them to get work from the teachers which they feel will help the children catch up.
For year 10 the homework has become vaguer, as students don't do coursework, but have to do the "coursework" type element in class. However do ask for work to be set to enable them to catch up.

As a trainee teacher I can't say a stiff email would help. More a collaborative approach, and finding out how this school does it (you may disagree, so may teachers but that is the system that is being worked with). Also find out about homework diaries, and virtual learning environments, all used for homework. But some schools in tough areas give little homework because it just won't be done.

I am the equivalent of a head of year, a styiff email to me would work, or a gently worded one.

I have never worked in a school thet sets no homework and have taught all over the country in a wide variety of schools, including very tough ones. I did work in one that did projects but there was one every week.

My daughter is in Y7 at our local secondary modern and gets a mixture of homework (maths, English and science) and project work (everything else).

In total, though, it would equate to something every evening and this is in her first year at a not particular academic school.

I would definitely ask some polite questions?

If the young person is in FC, does your authority not have an educational department that works in this area? I know of 2 authorities near me that have departments that attend the 6 monthly meetings and offer educational support. This can be in class/out of class etc either with teachers or TAs from the department. What does the Designated Teacher for Children in Care at the school say?
Good luck!

Are you sure they don't get homework? I've had a few parents evenings where I'm told that they're concerned about lack of homework only for me to explain that their child has not completed homework set on a regular basis. Child always looks very uncomfortable and sheepish!

My DS2 is in Y7 and gets 2 or 3 subjects per night (20-30 mins each) and DS1 is in Y10 and gets 3 or 4 subjects a night of 30 mins each