So this is very topical - Do you think primary school kids should have homework - fill out our quick poll now...

[JustineMumsnet]

So inspired by this recent thread we thought we'd do a quick poll. Please please can you fill it in you lovely people, at less than 5 mins it's way less homework than usual. (Plus if you do you'll be entered into this week's comp to win a Dyson!)

Lord no JohnsonShampoo! (Just don't tell Ann )

Can someone please blindfold Ann?

done!

Erm - we'll speak to Dyson and get back to you on that Kerrymum - in the meantime feel free to fill in our homework survey

You ain't Irish

Hmm - have done it now but not happy with the choice of answers at Q3 (there's no pleasing some people )

I agree that ages 4-7 need reading homework, but not that they need tables or spellings.

I think ages 7-9 need reading (if not on free reading by then), spellings & tables.

Ages 9-11 should be doing some homework to prepare them for what they'll get at secondary school, but not too much, & mostly in Y6 only.

hmm yes see what you mean

maybe should be reading/spelling/tables?

Most of the answers didn't suit me, so i picked randomly

i can read you know......

Oh that's sad Like denying yankness or summat

Not with a blindfold on you can't (did you not read the thread??)

have done survey.

if I win can I have a dyson ball?

huzzah

Paddington...you obviously haven't read the rules....no substitutions...

done!

most of the answers didn't really apply as my eldest is pre school. BUT i feel very strongly about primary school homework so felt compelled to fill it in!

there is no space for voluntary homework, i think that woudl be better.

Well, if people who don't have primary aged children can fill it in, why can't people overseas fill it in ???????
Wonders if it will be a cold day in hell when us forriners can take part in MN comps (considering MN is now making money from overseas advertising?? )

Anyhoo - I think primary aged children should get homework and should be taught how to manage it (ie, we do homework the day it comes in and not at the last minute) because being educated at Primary school in the 1970s myself I had a HUGE shock when I went to secondary school. I never ever learned how to do homework properly and was always on the back foot with deadlines etc ...

So I love it that my DS has had homework since the age of 5.

Ghosty, sorry to interrupt but your lovely sister emailed me. Thanks so much and will email her tomorrow to say thanks so much. Thanks hugely to you too, of course.

oh my thread is famous!!!

Ok here's what I think.

I don't think they should have homework aged 4-11 at all.

I think the school day should be about 15 minutes longer to fit all the important stuff in and I think they should stick to the point a little more (ie reading, writing, spelling, maths) in class and get it done during the school day and let them have a life and free time out of school.

When I say 'stick to the point a little more' I don't mean no fun stuff at all at school. But I get the impression the balance has become skewed too far towards things like dressing up days and emphasis on other activities which become crammed into the day meaning that the things they need to get done are not but as a result are being mopped up by sending it home as homework.