After many years of struggling to make reluctant children do homework I have given up. If they fail to do it then they can explain why to the teachers. Not my problem.
Last discussion with the THW's school on the subject resulted in our agreeing to disagree. I contend that setting homework and demanding that it is completed is their responsibility ~ sanctions for non compliance are their problem. My responsibility, as laid down by the "Home/School Agreement" that they love to quote, is to provide the facilities ~ ideally this should include a quiet, well lit room, desk or similar writing surface with suitable chair, no TV to distract them, no demands upon the child to do household chores, look after siblings/grannies etc, ensure a sensible bedtime allowing for sufficient sleep, the use of an internet linked laptop or PC and the provision of a balanced diet at appropriate times. That, in essence, is what the Government lays down as good parenting. I facilitate, the child does the work and the teachers correct it. Nowhere does it say that I have to stand over the child watching it work. That I will not do. That is, in fact, what teachers are paid £30k a year to do. If the teachers cannot motivate during the 7 hours of the school day what chance have I got during the four hours that I see the child ~ and that four hours includes feeding them, ensuring they have washed, cleaned their teeth, have clean clothes on, providing the other stimulating things that children need in the way of out of school activities (to make up for the lack of time in the school curriculum) this includes hours spent running them to and from: Guides, Scouts, Cubs, swimming lessons, music lessons, football practice, rugby practice, choir practice, badmington club, fencing club and taking them to Church on Sundays.
Homework is bollox as some enlightened schools are beginning to recognise.
