Homework
the main, benefi cial for students. However, too much help from mothers and fathers can lead to any benefi ts of home study being lost because it was not the children doing the work.
The findings have some resonance with Heulwen Rees, assistant head of a junior school in London. She said many parents wanted to see homework set every day because they saw that as vital to their children’s academic success. More often than not, she said, these were immigrant families who wanted their children to achieve more than they had. “As a teacher I have often felt constrained by a school’s homework
policy,” she said. “I stepped outside this by often setting specific homework for a specifi c child who had a specifi c problem and needed consolidation, particularly in maths.
“The best advice I was given was to set homework that didn’t need to be marked. I would often give pupils research tasks to do ready for the next history, science or geography lesson. I also set work that could be displayed so parents were happy that their child’s effort was on show to everyone.
“Personally I feel we shouldn’t be setting too much homework and that children should be allowed just to be children. If they are involved in extra-curricular activities such as sports clubs, or learning an instrument or girl guides or scouts, when are they supposed to do it?” Anna Balson, head of Mear Green Primary, in Sutton Coldfi eld, West Midlands, said the current school policy on homework was that it was set every Wednesday and was expected to be returned the following Monday giving parents several days, including the weekend, to supervise their children if required.
Key stage 2 pupils could expect to get around one hour a week, falling to about 30 minutes for younger pupils. Every child was also expected to read at home every day.
“Usually homework revolves around a theme that is being taught in
lessons, or it may focus on aspects of numeracy and literacy,” she said. “It really depends what theme we are focusing on at any given time. Where possible we also try to set homework that involves research in preparation of a lesson on a certain topic or theme. “However, we fi nd that despite the fact there is an expectation by parents that we will set their children tasks to do at home, it is often not completed, or clearly done in a rushed fashion on the Sunday evening. Trying to prepare pupils in advance clearly does not work in that instance and it is where the policy falls down.” Ms Bolson added that the school was, to some extent, succumbing to parental pressures as it was expected the school would set work. “The problem is that when they get it home they can’t be bothered to do it. “My own preference would be to have no homework at all, but instead to ask parents to give their children certain experiences, such as taking them to a museum or doing something adventurous outdoors. Or if, for example, we’re doing a topic on castles to take them to one and perhaps write about it, though this would not be compulsory. “In this way, children also learn something about self-motivation.
As far as I’m concerned weekends should be family time and not for homework but because it’s mentioned in the new Ofsted inspections framework then we feel we have to set it.” While homework may be controversial, experts at least agree on the value of parents taking an interest in their children’s learning. Results from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s Pisa study, which compares school systems around the world, found a strong correlation between children’s reading performance at 15, and home activities such as discussing politics, talking about books or fi lms and eating meals together as a family. The Association of Teachers and Lecturers at its annual conference in 2009 voted in favour of abolishing homework for primary school pupils, saying it was “a waste of children’s time”. The debate has even attracted
“As a teacher I have often felt constrained by a school’s homework policy. I stepped outside this by often setting specifi c homework for a specifi c child who had a specifi c problem and needed consolidation, particularly in maths”
celebrity involvement. Kirstie Allsopp, the television presenter who has campaigned against homework for primary school children, described it as a “constant battle that gets in the way of all the real ways kids learn. Going to the park. Reading together. Even just talking and interacting with the rest of the family”. Chris Chivers, a former primary teacher and headteacher who is now working as an education consultant, said there was little point in setting homework which would not be marked or play any part in future learning. “Traditionally, homework set in primary schools has included learning multiplication tables, spelling and reading to an adult,” he said. “Worksheets are sometimes sent home with an activity following a lesson. Homework is usually given on a specifi c day each week, communicated to parents beforehand, so becomes a part of the weekly routine.” Mr Chivers added that it was debatable whether the activity was valued and supported in every household. Intervention, interest and investment of time by “a signifi cant adult” determines whether the activities will be accomplished and have a positive impact on learning. “In my experience, the best practices are promoted ahead of time,” he said. “Parents are well prepared for the home activity event, either by word of mouth, through the children or pre-empted by a half termly newsletter detailing what to expect, with weekly follow up as necessary. Schools with different heritage languages make provision for parents to know what to expect.
“Every teacher should have in mind the potential for activity to be undertaken at home which can add value to class time. Oracy and articulacy should be enhanced by any home activity, as they all should be capable of being discussed.”
A spokesman for the Department for Education said homework
was “part and parcel of a good education – along with high quality teaching and strong discipline”. He added: “We trust headteachers to set the homework policy for their school. They know their pupils best and should be free to make these decisions without having to adhere to unnecessary bureaucratic guidance.”
• Dorothy Lepkowska is a freelance education journalist. Further information
Old homework guidelines:
www.direct.gov.uk/en/Parents/ Schoolslearninganddevelopment/SchoolLife/DG_179508
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