I’m an ex teacher & I don’t believe in homework – kids should be having fun at home, not studying
GROWING up, we probably all remember the Sunday afternoon feeling of dread sitting down to complete whatever dreary English essay or maths equations we had been set as homework.
However it seems it isn't just something pupils dread - as it also creates more work for teachers too, and isn't always as beneficial as we're told.
Mum Hannah Roper, 40, from Portsmouth, Hampshire, was previously a secondary school music teacher and a primary school teacher.
After leaving the profession she founded a coaching and mentoring company called for solo business owners, and runs networking events.
She says: "I don’t believe in homework as it rarely enhances the education of children and young people.
"The quality of homework is often poor and if the child gets stuck, as parents we don’t have the knowledge of the new learning strategies and processes to help them.
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"As a teenager, I remember it being a nuisance and annoyance.
"It was something that I just had to get done rather than enhancing my education in any way."
Homework hassle
There is an expectation on teachers to set homework.
Hannah says: "Both in primary and secondary school there was a ‘quota’ as to how much was set per subject per week and as a teacher you had to comply.
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"As a teacher there was so much planning and preparation needed for the day-to-day lessons that the homework was often an afterthought.
"Homework is there to enhance or consolidate the day's learning.
"However this is often not the case, this is not down to the teachers themselves but the pressure they are under and the extreme workload they carry.
"As a teacher I would set homework that was relevant to the lesson if I could.
"As a music teacher my homework would often be listening to music, I would attempt to use more modern music or give them a reason to listen to something they would normally protest against.
"Sometimes, if I could, I would set homework such as ‘enjoy your weekend’ ‘spend time with your family’ ‘look for something that indicates the change of the season’.
'The intention being it didn’t intrude on the time they have with their families, but still gave us something to connect over and talk about together.
"The parents appreciated it as it took the pressure off them."
A negative message
While it can be beneficial, the extent of this depends on the format.
Hannah says: "Homework can have its place, if it is a gaming style programme that enhances key skills or knowledge that has been activity taught in school then it can consolidate and embed the learning effectively.
"However, if the homework is set to finish class work it gives a negative message to the child that they have not done well enough when it may be their learning style or understanding of the learning that prevents them completing the work as quickly as others.
"As a mum now, my views on the merit of homework vary depending on what has been set.
"My stepdaughter does benefit from the gaming style homework set by primary schools, such as timetables or the spelling activities but for me the purpose is mental ability and brain function rather than the topics in the games.
"For my son, the secondary school homework that has the biggest impact is the research style homework for critical thinking and information handling skills rather than the topics themselves (although some of the information would stand him in good stead for a pub quiz!).
"I see homework as different from revision, revision is a skill that is essential to the passing of exams but, don’t get me started on the negatives of exams!"
Lessons learned
Hannah adds: "I would only set homework if it enhanced or consolidated the learning in any way.
"For maths and literacy/English, homework should never be a new topic as this can have a negative impact on learning if children don’t understand the concepts.
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"Research style homework encourages important life skills such as crucial thinking, research skills, contextualisation of information or assimilation of information, but this needs to be explained to the learners, so they have a purpose to what they are doing.
"Also, with the rise of extracurricular activities children have available, their time in the evening is limited and I believe that after school and weekends should be opportunities for life experiences and family time."
