Within the school there has been
discussion amongst teaching staff on the topic of homework, as pupils have been
reported to have too much homework. We have interviewed the Head of English on
this topic. His view was that homework should be based on preparation, learning
and reading as opposed to writing assignments.
"I think that sometimes we've
given priority to quantity of homework, when I'm more interested in learning...
so it's difficult to know what the right balance is. I'd like to see a bit more
thinking, less homework, rather than writing a lot...for its own sake. I mean
homework that means something, in the right sort of quantity, so that
pupils...don't feel that they've been bashed over the head, because I think
that if you are the scholars in the school, who enjoy work, you will find other
ways of working, even if you haven't got this homework- you'll read a book or
watch an interesting programme, and that's all work, I think." - Mr McCabe
We then asked pupils on their
opinions.
"I think homework is useful,
although there can be days where we get too much."
"I think that homework has
its uses and help children to understand topics. However, I think that homework
in large amounts can often be counterproductive. I think that homework would
benefit from being shorter."
As we can see, pupils and staff
have differing views amongst themselves about homework, as a remodelling of the
homework system could be at hand.