(07 Dec 2014, 9:36 pm)aureolin 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.
We were talking about this the other day in class, ad we came up with the following suggestion:
Mon-Thurs:
8AM Start
2x1 hour lessons
Half an hour break at 10
3x1 hour lessons
45 minute lunch from 1.30 until 2.15
15 minute registration at 2.15 until 2.30
2x1 hour lessons
Finish at 4.30
Total of 7 hours of teaching time
From Monday to Thursday this would total 28 hours
Friday:
10.30 AM Start
3 Mandatory "Study" Lessons, allowing computer access for those who might not have at home
Finish at 1.30 PM
We suggested this as it would give people no excuse for incomplete "home"work, and would relieve any additional stress added by the homework. Also, a few of us were quite tired when suggesting it, hence the later start and earlier finish on the Friday.
Finally, as an early Friday finish could cause issues for younger years, and most of them would fins the studies pointless, it would only be for Year 11-13
