Homework - Weald of Kent Grammar

[franticmum]

I have read that the homework requirement for Y7 and Y8 is a maximum of 2 subjects at half an hour each. Does anyone have any views on how realistic this is? I appreciate that there are some perfectionists out there but some comments would be useful.

Thanks

[kentsussexborder]

I can't comment for Weald but for Skinners' this year (yr 7) it's not been that onerous - so far! I'd think it was on a par with Weald and other grammars in West Kent as far as homework goes so.

On average my DS would spend around 30 minutes an evening, depending on the subject - the teachers' comments seem favourable so he seems to be doing enough. Some he finds easier than others, so, for example, he would complete the maths very quickly but spend longer on english or written subjects. Art has been the worst so far as he's not artistic by any stretch of the imagination!

I think it depends on the child to some extent as to how long the homework takes.

[alfie2]

MGGS 3 subjects a night - taking a total of an hour to an hour & half per night. First few weeks on a reduced homeword timetable but now up to full strength.

DD coping alright at the mo.

[Samba]

Hi Frantic Mum,
It's very realistic, with reasonable deadlines, e.g. 4 days for simple tasks, longer (up to a month) for more in depth projects. MFL and maths can normally be completed within about 20 minutes maximum. Our DD has 3 after school activities a week and has never struggled to complete homework, now in Y8. It's not at all pressurised but girls are encouraged to do "a bit more" to contribute to targets. I hope that helps.

[mystery]

I don't think any of the West Kent grammars give a particularly large amount of homework, but you do hear a horror story from time to time - 3 hours per night from the 1st day of Year 7, but it never seems to be true.

[Flybynight]

My DS is now in Year 9 at Judd. Certainly whilst in Year 7 for the first 1/2 of the Autumn term the homework reached a ridiculous level. I know many parents complained. I also remember one weekday night when he did over 4 hours!!! At the time he dropped all outside clubs yet when the work dropped after half term he was able to start Scouts etc again. I don't know how typical this is but it certainly seemed completely over the top at the time. In year 8 homework was barely 1/2 to 1 hour a night. Now in Year 9 it is picking up but not to those silly levels.

[mystery]

Oh sorry I spoke out of turn then. Do you think when it was really high that the boys were making heavy weather of it because they were new to secondary school, or that they were just intended to stop after a reasonable period of time? Or just that there was a lack of communication between the teachers so it was ludicrous?

[Flybynight]

Hi Mystery,
I actually think that it was due to a combination of reasons. Firstly, certainly he was not as organised as he is now. However there was definately a great deal of homework. I think partly the School wanted to come down quite hard on them at the beginning. They were also very strict on behaviour and uniform standards (which I support); pretty much every boy had at least one detention in the first term for a shirt untucked, top button undone or because they had forgotton a book. Anyway no harm done, my DS loves Judd.

[rosered100]

Yes, we're in Yr7 Judd now & although some nights there has been no homework, most nights there is at least 1.1/2 hours & on average 2 - 3 hours.

We were meant to go away this weekend, but due to the amount of homework we just went away for the day on Sunday & all day Saturday was spent working (that's for me btw - DS has not complained at all amazingly) Each subject is not too much - ie revise for a test, plan an essay or poem, make a poster etc but when you add in the work needed for some longer term projects plus the copying out neatly of notes taken in class, it all adds up. I think it is all just a way for them to revise what was done that day & as there are now 13 subjects, it's quite a bit - more a culture shock as previously he has never had homework.
His primary school thought they were being nice not setting any, saying they would get enough in the future, but I think it does the children a disservice when they get to secondary if only for the planning aspect of it.

[kentsussexborder]

2-3 hours homework a night is a bit much IMO. If the kids are at school for 7 hours already, then another 3 hours on top (excluding travelling time to and from school) means that they're working for anything up to 10 hours a day. That's too much for an 11 or 12 year old - poor kids need a life as well!