With homework, I think it's necessary as things stand, but only because the academic week doesn't have nearly enough teaching hours within it. Especially at KS4 level. It all works on statistics unfortunately, and schools will often reduce the amount of timetable time given to what they see as the 'self sufficient' subjects, and then adjust it again when grades start to suffer. It's like having a bucket of water with 10 holes in, and having to decide which ones to cover.
My personal view is that the academic week needs to be extended. At most schools, I think it's about 5 hours a day teaching time, so only 25 over the course of the week. I think for Year 10 and 11, the week should be increased by 7.5 hours to 32.5 per week, to allow for a mandatory 1.5 hour per day session, to work on coursework, and additional work that would normally be taken home. It should only be on the basis that homework is no longer given, which should in turn enforce a work life balance.
