Y7/8 homework

[Devondreamer]

Hi, am wondering whether any secondary maths teachers could advise please. My daughter is starting y7 at the local secondary school in Sept. She unfortunately didn't get into the Grammar school. I have lots of concerns about this school, one being that it teaches mixed ability in all lessons and I am worried about lack of expectation/progress for the higher achievers. Ofsted have pulled them up about this in the last two inspections. Having had a look online at the homework provision, the weekly maths homework throughout all of y7 and half of Y8 is times tables rockstars practice and approx 12 questions from Schofield and Sims (from books 3-6?) Is this the sort of homework you would expect to be set for this age group? Thank you for any thoughts/advice.

not a teacher - parent of a child starting year 7 in september who refused point blank to take the 11+. Personally I would expect more than that in maths homework so I can see your concerns. but I was reading on another thread on here about how year 7 for maths is mostly just revising year 6 work so perhaps that is why homework isn't much?

I don't mind if homework is less than I expected - should mean fewer battles for me and gives the kids a chance to settle in to secondary school and adapt to new subjects and homework timetables etc but I would worry it might result in some switching off and then low expectations from the child who will suddenly get a shock in the future.

If we get timestables rock stars again I will have a big battle on my hands. she hates it

I'm not a maths teacher but the maths departments where I have worked have tended to use an online programme for maths homework e.g. My maths and another one that I've forgotten.

I think you've got to remember that a school that's had it's high achieved creamed off to grammar is unlikely to have the higher ability cohort that a comprehensive would (for example, I would bet that the higher sets in a non-grammar school in a grammar area would probably be more like my school's set 3).

I would imagine that part of Y7 homework will be consolidating basic skills because you'd be amazed how many students come up from y6 not fluent in basic skills despite higher SATs scores. I don't think that's automatically a bad thing. I revise semi colon use with high ability GCSE to ensure it's secure.

Maths I believe is harder to teach mixed ability on the whole (but there's some great maths teachers on here) but they have probably gone that way because they don't have the top end so it's better overall. Give it until October half term and see where your DC is at then.

Depends on what the 12 questions are. I’m not familiar with the books in question but if it’s 12 ‘find the area of this triangle’ questions that can be knocked out in a minute by a bright kid, that’s not good. If it’s increasingly difficult area questions with problem solving thrown in then that’s fine. In mixed ability classes I’d expect different homeworks for the weakest and brightest.

Times tables practice is probably a good idea for most kids at secondary KS3 and it won’t harm those that don’t need it.

Thank you so much for your helpful responses. I just wish this school had high expectations for the higher achievers. One teacher even told me that the reason they have mixed ability classes is because they are wanting their higher ability pupils to help the middle ability. That's all very well but what about the higher achievers' progress.. 😖

If you want some regular challenging maths homework outside of what the school are setting then Simon Singh’s Parallel project is brilliant.

parallel.org.uk

Devondreamer
One advantage of mixed ability is that students are exposed to ideas and discussions of more able peers. That doesn't mean that the able students are mini teachers always helping other students.It is possible to stretch highly able students in mixed group (even when it is true mixed ability). It's easier in some subjects than others though.

What I think you have to be aware of is that in an area where the very brightest are creamed off to grammar, mixed ability isn't true mixed ability. It's probably largely middle ability with some higher and lower middle and a handful of weaker students. The higher ability pupils in a school in a grammar area are unlikely to be the same ability as highly able students in a comprehensive school. The school is working on a narrower ability range.

That's not to say that the school hasn't got areas to develop in that area. Even outstanding schools with great results have areas to develop, but I think going in with the idea of my child is highly able and school will probably not be able to support them is short sighted.

Parent here, not a teacher. My understanding is Schofield and Sims are primary books. I'm not aware of any kS3 books by them.

I agree with others. The grammar school has creamed off the highest achievers, so your school's 'mixed ability' starts below the top group and drops from there. the ideas and support that top students provide through a mixed-class set up isn't as effective since those students are in a better school.

Sorry, OP. I would find another way to support your child in maths at home. Ask for support in doing so and get the books you'll need.

I think that yes with some of the top ones gone to Grammar schools the general levels are affected but there ARE very clever children who CHOOSE not to go to grammar for a variety of reasons so top groups might not be all the same as the top at the grammar but given how many of the grammar ones are tutored to get in and then struggle to keep up it might not be as different as some think.

I teach in a non grammar in a grammar area and absolutely we do have high ability students. I think teaching mixed ability works well in creative arts subjects but not in maths. I can't see how this would help either higher or lower ability. I can't comment on the actual tasks set as not a maths teacher, but I would say online tasks per se isn't a problem, it's how challenging those tasks actually are that is the issue.