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HostLast term a primary school in Leeds abolished homework entirely. With me are its head teacher, Claire Benson, and education researcher Doctor Tom Okafor. Claire, why did you do it?
ClaireBecause we looked honestly at what it was achieving, and the answer was: not much. Our evenings were full of tears and arguments over worksheets, and the children who most needed the practice were the least likely to have a quiet place or an adult to help them. Homework was widening the gap, not closing it.
HostTom, does the research support that?
TomFor younger children, broadly, yes. The evidence that homework improves attainment at primary age is weak. But I'd be wary of generalising. For teenagers, the link between well-designed homework and results is considerably stronger. Banning it across the board would be a mistake.
ClaireI'd agree with that, actually. I'm not arguing against homework for sixteen-year-olds. I'm arguing against giving seven-year-olds an hour of worksheets.
TomThen we're closer than it sounds. The key phrase is well-designed. A lot of homework is simply busywork, finishing things that weren't finished in class. Short, focused tasks, like recalling what you learned that day, can be genuinely valuable.
HostClaire, what have you replaced it with?
ClaireReading. We ask families to read together for twenty minutes a day, in any language, from any book. Our reading scores have gone up, and, just as importantly, children say they enjoy it.
TomThat's an intervention I can fully support. It's cheap, it's flexible, and the evidence for reading at home is about as solid as it gets.
