Head’s Blog: Is homework worth the effort?

As a child I always hated homework. I guess that is true for most of us, and I don’t see many signs that this is changing. Most students I speak to at Fearnhill don’t particularly enjoy their homework either. Which begs the question, is homework worth the effort?

Bad homework is worse than pointless

At Fearnhill, we make an effort to base our practice on robust educational research. In education, some methods are more effective than others. Some ways of teaching are better than others, and the same is true for homework. If homework does not help students to know more and remember more, it is usually a waste of time. Especially if it is not enjoyable either. We have worked hard to remove homework from the curriculum that does not make a difference to students in the long term. We no longer set generic research, project work or activities with a tenuous link to the content we want students to learn (e.g. building a model of a cell). This is because these activities need a large amount of time for a small amount of long-term learning. We have no desire for students to waste their time on activities that will not help them much in the long run.

What makes a good homework activity?

Our homework involves practice of core skills and knowledge retrieval that will be useful in the long term. This is because practice has a big impact on students’ performance over time. Reading age is one of the best predictors of GCSE success, even in subjects that seem quite unrelated to reading, such as Science. That’s why we use Sparx Reader every week at Key Stage 3. Likewise, the best way to ensure students do as well as possible in Maths is to rack up hours of practice. Homework like this is always worthwhile. It is not fun; like eating well or getting enough exercise. But if students want to build their confidence as learners and improve their self esteem and emotional wellbeing then completing homework is not such a bad place to begin.

How can families help?

Some parents or carers like to do their children’s homework for them. As a parent myself, I have been guilty of this! It seems pretty kind after all. The problem is that Fearnhill uses artificial intelligence to set and mark much of the homework that our students are set. If students are successful, the homework gets harder and if they struggle, it gets easier. Of course, when parents do it instead, the students will end up getting set homework that is much too difficult. If you find your child cannot complete their homework, the best thing to do is let us know. It is also true that some students do not even open their homework or put in much effort at all. Again the artificial intelligence shows us how much time each student has spent actively working on their homework. This is where families can work with school to make a difference – by making sure that all homework is properly attempted each week.

Better homework leads to better outcomes

In the end, none of this is rocket science. As long as homework is worthwhile (and we make sure it is), then doing more homework leads to improved knowledge, skills and understanding. And that means better grades too.

I hope that explains our approach to homework and why we hold students to account when they do not do their homework.  We are grateful for your support as we try to make sure that every piece of homework is worth the effort, every time.

Tim Spencer, Headteacher