Parental Responses to Homework Survey

Parental Responses to Homework Survey

Question1

How satisfied are you with the content of homework provided for your child? Are instructions issued with homework task clear enough?

Responses

It seems reasonable, sometimes there can be conflict with what my child says she has to do, and what she says done in class. However I think this can be down to her understanding of what exactly she has to complete for homework.

Quite satisfied. A good mix of literacy and numeracy work with occasional project work which my child can do. Would like to see work from other curricular areas and exercises to stretch her more.
Instructions are usually clear but on occasion work that needs to be completed isn’t in the homework bag.Instructions are usually clear enough as I was able to attend the homework/teaching methods sessions in the school which has helped my understanding, however my husband feels the instructions could be clearer

I think content is fine unless school projects are sent home (ie solar system) in which case it becomes more the parents homework than the child’s.

I am happy with the content of the homework however I would say the instructions are not clear enough at all. We need to bear in mind it might not always be the parent doing the homework each evening and sometimes it may be a grandma etc who is not familiar with what the “nine sounds” are or what the “revise words” are. They are not very user friendly and usually leave more questions than answers. I think a fresh set of eyes that has never “tackled” homework before should proof read the instructions before issuing to pupils to take home. Being a first time parent to a P1 I was very much in the “unconscious incompetent” stage as I was unaware of what was required of me and reading the homework instructions brought no relief so I think this needs to be addressed.
Sometime the instructions could be clearer but the “normal” daily homework instructions are fine.
Sometimes the reliance on the pupil to record their homework is not clear. I like getting the homework advice for the week on a Monday
Very satisfied. It gives us a clear idea of what she is learning in class and helps us support her. It is clear and organised.
No there are no instructions with my childs homework and getting my child to explain can be difficult if he hasn’t grasped the idea neither. I also think he does not get enough homework to keep him interested in school and his subjects that we are now doing extra work with him at home!
Very satisfied, occasionally P1 homework guidance could be clearer.
I think it is good in that there is structure and routine. However it can be very boring sometimes doing the same tasks. It is helpful to see the level and the progression and to see what is going on at school. Usually instructions are clear enough, but occasionally something extra is sent home and we don’t know when it is to be completed by.
I am very satisfied with the homework tasks that my son brings home sometimes I don’t understand question but that my learning bankruptcy
Not satisfied at all. Instructions are not clear at all and most of the time it’s just a case of looking through the folder to see what is there.
I am fairly satisfied, however, come across instructions that aren’t clear the odd time; also when we write in a comment we don’t get a reply back. I’m still waiting on a reply to a comment my husband made on last week’s homework. It took my daughter nearlyan hour one night hence us questioning it. Also – are we expected to supply the paper in some cases?

Question 2

How much time do you think children should spend on homework each evening?

None / Up to 15 mins / Up to 30 mins / Up to 45 mins / more
P1-3 / 1 / 4 / 8
P4-5 / 1 / 6 / 3 / 1
P6-7 / 1 / 3 / 2 / 3

Question 3

What type of homework tasks do you think should be undertaken by your child?

Responses

Revision of what has been covered that day.I think only practical tasks should be given at weekends, something which may involve seeking information, or experimenting with new ideas. This would help the children when these skills become more of a necessity with their learning. It may also help encourage parental/guardian involvement?

A wide variety of tasks. These should include the reading, spelling, writing and number work currently given but I would like to see more tasks from other curricular areas as these seem to be limited to themed projects.
Revision of work in class so parents have an idea of childs progress. In later years (p6-7) then giving written projects home is fine.
Revision of learning during day and week but also some fun tasks in order to make sure homework is not seen as a chore.
Reading, Spelling and Maths
Revision of work carried out in class, reading, timetables, writing practice
Small amount of maths and language to give an idea of what they are doing in class and other short activities given every 3 or 4 weeks based on topic work, RME etc.
A mixture of maths and English and a little science and foreign language
Everything they get is appropriate, I understand the need to involve parents in school work but I think the large exercises that are given to children e.g. making pyramids, instruments, robots. I think this creates a bigger divide between children who have good parental support and those that don’t as these tasks are obviously carried out on the whole by the parents.
I have no problem with what is being sent home. It is important for the parents to understand the work going on at school. It might be nice to give a homework task for the weekend, something a bit more active perhaps? More relevant reading and writing tasks might be nice. (i..e. not just the reading programmes but real books or stories). Perhaps some homework that is not just literacy and numeracy – but focussing on other areas of the curriculum, e.g. a PE block, or an Arts block, or an Languages block
Work that has been studied in class but pushing the boat out or completing tasks that time constraints did not allow to be concluded.
Revision

Question 4

What do you see as the main purpose of homework?

Responses

To help ensure the children have understood and absorbed the lessons of the day.

To reinforce knowledge and skills developed in the classroom and extend learning where possible. Also a vital way for teachers to check progress and support pupils to improve.
To reinforce what is learned during the school period and so that parents can see their progress

I see one of the main purposes as parent participation and interaction with their child. I also believe that “practice makes perfect” and a child must understand that they need to work hard and smart for results hence the need for homework.
Encouraging family commitment.
To bring awareness to the parents of their childs progress.
To give parents an idea of what their children are learning in school and give them a chance to support them. To reinforce learning.
To keep on top of the subjects he studies at school, to keep it fresh in his mind, to make sure he has understood the lessons in school and for both the parents and the teachers to understand what he is learning and what help he may need with anything he doesn’t understand or is struggling with.
To reinforce learning that has been achieved primarily in school. It also allows parents to monitor how their child is developing and if there are any areas where the child is struggling. It is also another way of bringing all the family together.
To reinforce classwork – perhaps to help children rethink or solve any problems they might have had in class, to get into good habits for later life, a means of communication with parents - both parents and school and parents and child;
My Idea of homework is that is to enhance further what has been learned in school, to absorb and to make it an understanding and not just some task out of necessity. If you understand something you will enjoy it the next time if not then it is a burden and an in inconveniency.
To remember what they did that day at school.

Question 5

What difficulties, if any, do you come up against when helping your child complete homework tasks?

Responses

Clear understanding of what is being asked of my child.

My husband and I both work full-time and it is quite a challenge to get some homework done, particularly when it is given on days when there are activities at the school e.g. disco, parent’s evening. Our daughter is able to manage all of the current homework with very little help. It would be good to see her given more challenging homework which we could support her with.

It is difficult sometimes to fit in homework aswell as their clubs. It would be a better idea for all the homework to be issued at the beginning of the week and the kids can do it on the nights that they are less rushed and more time to complete it.
Apart from some dubious instructions occasionally, there really has not been anything but my child is only in P1 so the timeframe I am judging this from is small.

Trying to get concentration back after a long day at school/after school.
P1 – not interested, can get upset. Children are at different levels of their capability, the homework should be adjusted for this. Just now as far as I know every P1 child receives the same homework.
Finding time to do it. We usually have an hour and a half between getting home and bed time. Very quick activities are essential. Homework is important but quality time is even more important when we have such restrictions on our time.
Nothing with the homework or what has been set other than no instructions but more with my son’s attitude at the moment!
Sometimes time when there are extra curricular activities but I don’t think this can be helped. Although I do know some children are given homework for the week and this may be beneficial.
My children’s mood is not always conducive to doing homework. They are not focussed and would rather play or do something more ‘fun’ or play with their siblings (or just wind up their mother). Because I have two children (P1 and P3) it is difficult to work with both of them at the same time, and it is also difficult to work with one and then work with the other. Since I have been at work all day they want to get your attention etc. I find it difficult to manage with the two of them in a peaceful manner to concentrate and work quickly on homework. Homework often takes up to an hour in my house because of lack of concentration. I do believe my children are capable of the work, but believe the kids are tired, needing attention etc etc – so it can be difficult sometimes
My inability to do maths after 50 odd years.
Having the time to sit with them and go over it. As a single parent i sometimes forget to ask if they have homework as i have so many other things to think about.
The amount of time it takes and the unclear instructions.
Tiredness (I work full time); not understanding what is asked; lack of interest which I put down to tiredness / hunger.

Question 6

Do you think homework is essential? Please explain your answer.

Responses

Yes I do, it helps me as a parent to understand where my child is with her learning, if it’s based on that days subject I know if she’s understood it. I would think it also helps the teacher to know if the children have absorbed what they have been teaching also.

Absolutely essential to consolidate and extend learning and for teachers to judge progress and inform their planning based on responses to homework. Also builds valuable skills for the future e.g. research skills, presentation skills, literacy and numeracy skills and ICT skills.

I’m unsure. It can reinforce the work in class and give parents chance to see childs progress but think it should not take the place of classroom learning.For kids who need extra work as perhaps they are struggling, I think it is essential.It is also good for the upper years to get used to homework before transferring to high school where homework is expected.
Yes, homework is essential. From the very basic such as revising what has been taught that day or studying for an exam to the more emotional interaction between a parent/guardian and child and taking an interest in that child’s learning and journey through school. I also believe homework after school builds a foundation for productive habits and routines for studying for exams, further education and discipline.
Yes, allows the parents to get involved and also for the parents to see the progress or spot problems that your child may be having with certain subjects.
Absolutely, it is important for me as a parent to really understand the level my child can do and I can help with their progress. Also at parents night I can have a 2 way conversation rather than just listening to progress.
Yes, to allow parents to understand what their child is learning and assess where they need support from us. Topic work often gives an opportunity to open dialogue about school at home. Reinforcement of learning is important but secondary in my opinion.
YES!!! As mentioned before it is a vital part of the structure of being able to study outside of school in preparation for high school and further education also for when he starts work with anything he may need to study or research.
I find it very important and essential as it refresh my intellectual ability and lets me be part of my child’s learning curve. It is also a way of knowing what the school is doing and also how my child is developing.
No i don’t think it is essential and they shouldn’t get it every day.
No as they are in school all day and I believe doing practical things is a better way to learn.
Yes, especially if the child is falling behind in class, however, sometimes it becomes achore having to make sure we’ve allocated the time to do the homework. I have become stressed when, for example, my daughter is at her swimming lessons/ gymnastics and I’m fretting because we’ve still to get homework done when we get home – there’s been no time to do it prior to her clubs.

Question 7

How do you think the school should deal with children who do not complete homework tasks?

Responses

I don’t believe punishment is the way to go. Failing to complete home work would suggest either a lack of understanding of the subject, or other outside influences. If the child has taken it in, and the time required is of an appropriate level that the child can deal with, then there’s other areas that may need addressed.

Have a robust system which all teachers apply. Make this well-known to pupils, parents and staff and ensure that it is followed to set high expectations. Sanctions could include warnings, interval detention or a Homework club to support pupils who don’t get support at home, letters/emails/texts/phonecalls to parents, removal of privileges. However, a more positive way to support homework completion could be to use it to recognise achievement or link it to the rewards system to promote positive attitudes towards homework.
If there is a reason ie tiredness then I think the parent should be able to note this is homework diary and the homework be excused. If the child just can’t be bothered then I think the school should give a second attempt before discussing with parents

Homework should be treated the same way as course work in school time therefore children should be dealt with the same way as they would do during school time
Talk to the parents

They she be stay in a lunch time to complete but first discuss with child in case they are not clear or are struggling
Parents should be contacted and the important role they play in supporting their child explained to them. It is more often not completed because of battles between parents and children about doing it. If parents want to support their child but lack the skills to do so they should be given advice on how to do this. eg. timing activities, reward charts, scribing or sharing the written work if necessary etc. If the parent does not want to support a child even when given support the child should not be made to feel bad.
By reiterating the importance of the work, giving them a second chance to do so then if that fails alerting the parents/guardians and taking away playtimes to do the work in their own time in school (although it should be made clear that this is not fair on the teacher overseeing them as this is their free time too!)
I think it depends on the age of the child and if it is a recurring problem. I think initially the reasons for the child not doing homework should be examined as it is really a parental responsibility for younger children to do their homework. It may be that the parents are struggling to assist for some reason. If t is an older child who is not taking responsibility for their learning further supports should be provided, where these fail the school should work with the parents to resolve the problems.
This must be discussed with parents at the earliest opportunity. It may not be the child’s fault. I also think that SMT at a school will have experience of the patterns of this problem. I.e. Does this sort of thing happen first in primary one and continue throughout school, or does it more often happen at a particular age of stage. If the ‘problem’ is with the parents – then they should be offered support. Perhaps family homework clubs may help to solve problems regarding parents that are not able to help their children in language and maths.
I don’t think the child is the problem; the issue probably lies with the parents and their ability’s. May be not as task masters but with by having knowledge and education. My mother was not able to help with my homework herself, but that did not stop her from making me knock on the neighbour’s door for help. They got a curry at the weekend for their troubles, and that was her input towards my homework. The teacher is a great role model in school; it’s the parents at home with their abilities and inability’s, help is needed for them. Watching TV was a reward and not a right with my mother and the reward was when homework was done.
They should not be punished as i now from my own experience its more the parents fault than the child’s. As i have explained being a single parent means you have to do everything so it makes it a bit more difficult to concentrate on everything. I do always ask about homework however, don’t always follow it up.
Again I believe homework is a waste of time.
I think the parents should be asked WHY was the homework not complete, however, if the child is older and doesn’t require parental support, then the parents should be informed homework isn’t being completed.

Question 8