Homework is embedded into the English school system. However, some parents may be surprised to learn that there isn’t consensus amongst educators about the effectiveness of homework. Indeed, there are schools that don’t set it or set it minimally, preferring their teaching staff to spend more time planning lessons or assessing more formal work. If homework is set, you may find that it is not ‘marked’ or graded. Although, increasingly teachers will give whole class feedback, demonstrating to students the common mistakes that have been made. Again, this depends upon the school policy, so please do familiarise yourself with it.

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Below, we have summarised the arguments that schools take into account when deciding upon their homework policy. We have outlined this, because it is important to understand why homework is set/ not set, so that you can best support your child. We have included references to show that there is an active debate from the research.

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Arguments For Setting Homework:

1. Reinforcement of Learning: Homework provides an opportunity for students to reinforce what they've learned in class by practicing and applying concepts. This can lead to better retention of knowledge (Cooper, 2007).

2. Skill Development: Completing homework helps students develop essential skills like time management, organisation, and self-discipline, which are valuable life skills (Vatterott, 2010).

3. Preparation for Future Lessons: Homework can prepare students for upcoming lessons, allowing teachers to delve deeper into new material during class time (Marzano & Pickering, 2007).

4. Parental Involvement: Homework can foster parent-child engagement in education, as parents can monitor progress and provide support (Epstein & Van Voorhis, 2001).

5. Assessment and Feedback: Homework can serve as a means for teachers to assess student understanding and provide timely feedback, guiding further instruction (Hattie, 2009).

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Arguments Against Setting Homework:

1. Increased Stress: Excessive homework can lead to increased stress and anxiety among students, affecting their overall well-being (Pope, 2001).

Inequity: Homework can create inequity, as students with more resources or parental support may benefit disproportionately (Baker & Gersten, 2004).

2. Limited Family Time: Too much homework can reduce family time, potentially impacting family relationships and children's social development (Hofferth & Sandberg, 2001).

3. Overburdened Students: Too much homework can lead to overburdened students who have limited time for extracurricular activities, hobbies, or relaxation (Kohn, 2006).

4. Ineffectiveness: Some research suggests that homework may not significantly improve academic performance, particularly in younger students (Hattie, 2009).

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For more information on homework in schools, please visit the Setting Homework page. If you need more information on how to support your child with homework, please visit this page in the Supporting Your Child section.