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How to Set Up a Homework Club

Written by Alison Smith

Do you have students in your class who fail to complete their homework on a regular basis?

Homework is a hot topic. It can be time-consuming for both students and teachers. Increasingly, there’s a divide between those who believe that homework plays an important part in learning and those who suggest the time would be better spent playing outdoors, with family and developing relationships.

Whatever your personal viewpoint is, you may be tied to the homework policy of your school. So, first and foremost, if you haven’t already done so, make reading your school homework policy a priority.

Next, I would like to offer one piece of advice…

Communicate about homework and communicate well. Communicate clearly with students, parents, guardians and teaching partners. Avoid homework surprises at all costs.

Use our  Editable Homework Information Sheet   to communicate effectively. It’s a good idea to update this information every term to stay on top of changes and to keep parents up to date with any new additions.

What Makes Homework Meaningful?

Homework tasks should be meaningful. Worthwhile homework is more likely to engage your students and may lead to more involvement in class . Meaningful homework tasks may take a little more time to prepare but believe me, it’s worth it. Before you set a homework task, you might like to consider whether the task:

• has a clear purpose – to practise, check understanding or apply knowledge and skills
• provides an opportunity to review, practise and develop skills they already know
• provides students with an opportunity to do something they enjoy
• enables students to relate learning with the real world
• provides students with an opportunity to experience success and some degree of independence
• provides students with the opportunity to be critical thinkers.

To read more about the wider picture when it comes to homework, read my blog,  Why Take an Alternative Approach to Traditional Homework?

Homework Red Flags

For many students, homework is stressful. For many busy families, it’s hard to find the time, space and energy to fit homework into an already jam-packed daily schedule. For some, home life can often be chaotic, loud and full of distractions.

If you have students in your class who are repeatedly failing to complete homework, take the time to consider how your school community can support students and parents.

What is a Homework Club?

A homework club is a safe, supportive and productive student meetup out of school hours to assist students in completing their homework. Homework clubs provide vital support for children who do not otherwise have the help that they need.

Homework clubs can provide:

• a safe, quiet and calm space for students to concentrate
• a supportive environment
• one to one or small group support
• a chance to share knowledge
• an opportunity to build relationships
• an opportunity to develop good work habits and a positive attitude towards learning
• the chance to develop skills involved in becoming an independent learner.

How to Set up a Homework Club

Here are a few tips to get you started:

• Decide who – Start small. Identify a small group of students who need support with completing homework. Follow the protocol for contacting parents and obtaining their permission.
• Decide  what – Plan what activities will be included. You might like to go with a simple plan such as  snack, active learning game, class homework, chill out time.
• Decide where – Choose a suitable venue. Good options include the school library, a classroom, or a shady outdoor space (my favourite option). Complete a risk assessment.
• Decide when – Start with once a week. Choose an afternoon when you usually stay back after school. Check that your time slot does not clash with other popular extracurricular clubs.
• Decide why?  – Decide on the purpose of your homework club. Is it to develop good work habits, provide a calm productive workspace or to improve academic results?

For more helpful tips on taking your homework club outside, read Emma’s inspiring blog  Opening the Door To an Outdoor Classroom | Creating an Outdoor Lesson Box .

Tips for Leading a Homework Club

Leading a homework club requires a certain amount of organisation just like everything else. Here are a few tips and ideas to get you started:

• Make sure that your students have a healthy snack and a water break before beginning the session. Don’t forget you!
• Break your homework club session into 4 short intervals : active game, class homework, fast finisher and chill out time .
• Play an Active Game to let off steam and build positive relationships.
• Have a supply of spare pens, pencils and other stationery items.
• Have enough adult support for the number of students in your group.
• Establish clear expectations for conduct and work standards.

Being Ready to Learn at Homework Club

Having clear rules and expectations for homework club is critical. Without rules and regulations, you may find that students think of homework club as the ultimate playdate. Why not use our brand new  Behaviour Learning Ladder – Vertical Chart ?

One way to visually keep track of your students’ behaviour is to create a behaviour learning ladder for homework club. A behaviour learning ladder is a great visual reminder for you and the students and includes a step by step warning system for your students.

When you are sharing your expectations, be sure to include areas such as punctuality, commitment, work standards, bringing homework and respecting the needs of others.

For more information on how to set up and use a behavior learning ladder read Holly’s brilliant blog  Classroom Management | How to Use a Behaviour Learning Ladder .

Start Homework Club with an Active Learning Game

Don’t forget that after a busy day at school, kids need to be kids. Make sure that the students who attend homework club have a brain break and a chance to play before they are expected to focus and concentrate.

Our  Active Learning Resource Pack  is a brilliant resource pack that includes 15 active games to play as the perfect brain break before or during homework club. Active games promote fun, active ways of revising learning and are perfect for small groups.

Stock Up on Learning Tools for Homework Club

Get set up with learning tools to encourage independent learning. As a starting point, I used:

• Emoji – Numbers 1 to 100 Chart
• Rainbow Numbers Poster
• Multiplication Facts 1-12 – 4 Per Page
• Phonics Flashcards and Progress Tracker – Motorbike Theme .

Fast Finisher Activities

Stock up on fast finisher activities to avoid one or two students disrupting the calm. Check out the 88 teaching resource in our Fast Finisher Activities Collection  to prepare for any situation.

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Homework clubs can make a huge difference to the school lives of students who find completing homework a challenge.

You are an exceptional being because you go the extra mile and do exceptional things.

Take the time to consider the possibility of initiating a homework club. Perhaps, all you have to do is suggest the idea, work out the who, what, where, when and why and find the right team to run the show.

I’ve got your back. P.S. you are amazing!

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How to Set Up a Homework Club

Homework clubs can be a fantastic way for students to get together, help each other, and stay motivated to complete their school assignments. If you’re considering setting up a homework club, here are some steps to guide you through the process.

 Define the Purpose and Goals

Before you start a homework club, it’s important to determine why you’re starting it and what you hope to achieve. Do you want to provide a quiet space for individual study, or are you aiming for collaborative learning where students help each other? Setting clear goals will help guide the structure of your club.

 Choose a Location

A suitable location is critical. This place should be quiet, have enough space, and be easily accessible to students. Libraries, community centers, or empty classrooms are excellent places as they provide a formal atmosphere conducive to studying.

 Set a Schedule

Decide on the days and times that the homework club will meet. It’s important to consider when students are most likely to attend — after school or in the evening. Be consistent with the timing so that students can build it into their routine.

 Gather Materials

Make sure you have all the materials necessary for effective studying: textbooks, reference books, stationary supplies like pens and paper, computers with internet access if possible, printer/scanner facilities, etc.

 Establish Rules and Structure

Creating a set of rules helps to maintain order and focus within the group. For instance, settle on rules regarding noise levels, toy usage during club time (like phones), or bringing snacks. Additionally, decide how the time will be structured—whether there’ll be a quick briefing at the start of each session or if students break off into groups.

 Recruit Members

You’ll need to promote your homework club to gather members. You can do this by creating flyers and posters to advertise around your school or local community centers. You could also use social media or word-of-mouth to get the word out there.

 Find Supervision

Having an adult supervisor like a teacher or parent can help oversee the club activities. This person can provide homework help if needed or mediate any disruptions that arise during study time.

 Secure Funding if Necessary

If you require funds for materials or snacks, look into potential sponsorships from local businesses or educational grants available in your area that support after-school programs.

 Monitor Progress and Solicit Feedback

It’s important to keep track of how well the homework club is meeting its intended goals. Ask for regular feedback from members and adjust your strategies accordingly. This ensures that the club remains effective and continues to meet student needs.

With careful planning and management, a homework club can be an invaluable resource that fosters community support among students as they work towards academic success.

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What Is Homework Club?

Homework club is an after school club for students to complete homework/school work. Students report to a specific classroom and are supervised by a teacher. The teacher will offer assistance and check on students to make sure they are completing school work. The length of homework club will vary by school but usually lasts for about an hour after the school day ends. 

Who Is Homework Club For?

Homework club if for students that struggle to complete school work and homework. 

Students that attend homework club benefit from a quiet place to complete work after school. 

Homework club is usually available to all students but often students with a 504 or an IEP will get first consideration.

In my school we have limited spaces in homework club so it’s up to us, the teachers, to choose students that will benefit from it the most.

If you need a description of what homework is then I answered that in this article .

How Often Is Homework Club?

How often a school has homework club really depends on the school and the district. 

First of all not all schools have the means to offer homework club to students.

Because the teacher that supervises the students in homework club needs to be compensated and some schools don’t have the money to pay them. 

For schools that do have the money to pay a teacher to supervise homework club they may offer homework club every day or only a few days a week. 

The middle school I work at offers our students homework club two days a week. 

Is Homework Club Effective?

Whether or not homework club is effective depends on two things: the teacher supervising and the students. 

If the supervisor engages with the students and sets expectations for work completion then the club can have an impact.  

However, if the supervising teacher is not engaged then the students will not get as much work done. 

In my experiences I have seen homework as beneficial to students but have also had students that attend it and it doesn’t seem to impact their grade or learning at all.

Often the students that are in homework club are students that struggle with work completion and organization.

This is why the teacher that supervises them really needs to have them set daily or weekly goals to ensure that work completion is taking place.

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I (Allen) am currently teaching at a public school in a western suburb of Chicago. My teaching career started in 2004. Some of my interests outside of teaching is being with my family, biking, playing video games, travelling, and making the Teacher Adviser website.

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Volunteers' Homework Club making a 'huge difference to young people and adults'

Shrewsbury School volunteers are celebrating the success of Homework Club, an initiative that welcomes refugee children to school so that our pupils can assist with their studies.

Head of Charities and Volunteering, Naomi Pritchard explains: “Homework Club has been developed over the last four years through myself, Mr Giles Bell and Kariman Yakhoul (Shropshire Supports Refugees). 

“It is a highly rewarding volunteering project for all guests and helpers alike.  In the early days, the club started to help refugee teenagers catch up with core subjects and more recently we have added English assistance for adults and learning through play for the primary years.  All of the Shrewsbury School students who help with this project are highly committed and positive in their approach and are making a huge difference to many youngsters and adults in our local area.  There is no doubt that this club is the highlight of the week for many of us that attend.”

Grace S (G, LVI), a pupil volunteer at Homework Club, has written about her experiences of helping within the group.

Homework Club, organized by both teachers and students at Shrewsbury School, is a committed endeavour aimed at assisting refugee children across various year groups in local state schools, as well as their mothers who are preparing for English exams. Our sessions, conducted in classrooms within the Main School Building, typically last for one hour on Thursday afternoons during the school  term.

The primary objective of Homework Club is to enhance the comprehensive language abilities of local refugee children and their mothers, focusing particularly on oral and written English. Through academic support, we strive to improve their overall academic performance, boost their confidence and facilitate their integration into the local community, all while fostering a positive and fun learning environment.

I have been involved in Homework Club since last Michaelmas term. During this time, my main responsibility has been assisting a young boy in preparing for his GCSE physics mock exam. I shared my personal revision experiences and introduced effective techniques such as utilising flashcards, practicing with past papers and exploring online learning websites. Together, we meticulously analysed past papers, delving into answer strategies and formats that could contribute to higher marks. Additionally, we noted common mistakes to aid his post-club revision.

Homework club provides a nurturing and supportive atmosphere, with teachers and student volunteers offering encouragement and recognition. Witnessing the continuous progress of the students, especially the young boy I’ve been helping with, is truly heartening. Each encounter reveals a growing determination, increased effort and unwavering persistence in his eyes. This experience has not only provided me with valuable insights into the dynamics of teaching and learning in education, but also has underscored the profound significance of volunteering at Homework Club. It provides a platform for me to impart my knowledge I have possessed and to support others academically.

Whether it involves alleviating academic pressures or simply being a source of encouragement, I find the experience very rewarding. I take great pleasure in motivating individuals to discover their passions, to cultivate a love for learning, and to evolve into their best selves.

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The beginner's guide to primary-school homework

What’s the point of homework?

For many families, homework is a nightly battle, but primary schools set it for a variety of reasons. ‘It helps to consolidate the skills that are being taught at school, and provides children with additional revision opportunities,’ explains head teacher Steph Matthews of St Paul’s CofE School, Gloucester .

‘It also gives children an opportunity to explore learning in an unstructured setting, encouraging them to be independent and follow their own lines of enquiry.’ In addition, homework creates a partnership between school and family, giving parents an insight into what their child is learning.

How much homework should my child get in primary school?

In the past, the Department for Education advised that Key Stage 1 children should do an hour of homework each week, rising to half an hour per night in Key Stage 2. This advice was scrapped in 2012, giving schools more freedom, but many still follow the old guidelines.

In Reception , formal homework is rarely set. However, children are likely to bring home books to share with the family, first reading books, and/or keywords to learn.

In Years 1 and 2 , children are likely to have one or two tasks per week. This could be literacy or numeracy worksheets (for example an exercise where children have to compare the weights of different household items), a short piece of writing (such as a recount of a school trip) or work relating to the class topic (find out five facts about the Great Fire of London ).

In Years 3 and 4 , most schools set two homework activities each week: typically, one literacy (such as a worksheet on collective nouns, or a book review ) and one numeracy (a worksheet on bar charts).

In Years 5 and 6 , children may have two or three pieces of homework each week. ‘The amount begins to increase to prepare children for SATs and the transition to secondary school,’ says Steph. These activities might include maths worksheets, researching a topic, book reviews and grammar exercises.

Alongside formal homework tasks, most children bring home reading scheme books from Reception onwards, with weekly spellings and times tables from Year 1 or 2.

Learning logs and homework challenges

Not all schools rely on handing out worksheets. Learning logs or challenges are becoming more popular: children are given a folder of suggested activities – from writing a poem to building a model castle – and must choose a certain number to complete throughout the term.

Other schools ensure that homework ties in with the current class topic. ‘We have a themed approach, and set homework activities that give opportunities to explore the topic in a fun way, for example, designing a method of transport that Phileas Fogg could use to travel the world,’ explains Steph.  

Modern homework methods

Unsurprisingly, technology is playing an increasingly important part in homework. Some schools use online reading schemes such as Bug Club , where teachers allocate e-books of the appropriate level, or subscription services like SAM Learning  to set cross-curricular tasks.

A growing number also set homework electronically , with children logging into the school website to download their task.

What if the homework is too much – or too hard?

If you feel your child is overloaded with homework, speak to the teacher. ‘Forcing children to complete homework is counterproductive, because they come to perceive it as a chore,’ says Rod Grant, head teacher of Clifton Hall School, Edinburgh . ‘This makes learning appear boring, arduous or both, and that is really dangerous, in my view.’

Most schools publish their homework policy on the school website , telling parents exactly what to expect. ‘Teachers should make their expectations very clear in terms of deadlines and how long it should take, and should also differentiate tasks to suit the level of the pupil,’ adds Steph.

No homework at all?

If your child doesn’t get any homework, you may feel out of touch with his learning, or concerned that he isn’t being challenged. But there are good reasons why some schools don’t set homework, or set it only occasionally, says Rod. ‘Although homework can be beneficial, family life tends to suffer as a result of it being imposed,’ he explains. ‘ If a school isn’t providing homework, there’s plenty that parents can do at home instead : reading with their children, doing number puzzles on car journeys, using online resources, and so on.’

Parents may also worry that without doing homework, children won’t develop study habits for later life. ‘There is genuinely no need for a six-year-old to get into a routine of working at home; there’s time to learn that later,’ Rod advises. ‘Parents need to relax and encourage children to love learning – and that comes when learning is fun, relevant and engaging, not through doing homework tasks that are unchallenging, or secretarial in nature.’

Homework: advice and support for primary-school parents

For information and support on all aspects of homework, from managing other siblings to helping with specific subjects, head to our Homework area.

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Interesting ideas for primary homework

• Author: Kevin Harcombe
• Main Subject: CPD
• Subject: Leadership
• Date Posted: 12 January 2011

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Evenings and weekends are precious to us all. So don't waste children's time, and your own, by setting dull homework...

Homework – a compound word that resonates down the chalk dust swirling corridors of all our school days. Home: warmth, security, a place to relax. Work: well, fill this one in yourself, why don’t you?

The point is, the two things don’t often sit well together and I have always been ambivalent about the value of homework for children under 11. An Ofsted inspector once told me that they’d stopped being critical of schools about parental attitudes to homework, because invariably half of parents thought the school set too little and the other half set too much, so schools couldn’t win (no change there, then).

Some parents think homework must be a ‘good thing’, without being quite sure why. They may have read it in the Daily Mail, or they may be of the “I had to do it and it never did me any harm” school of thought, in which case what’s wrong with flogging and outside lavatories?

These may well be the same parents who can remember how to do quadratic equations; unlike me whose secondary school child regularly weeps into her calculator at half nine of a Tuesday evening whilst bewailing the fact her parent is a mathematical imbecile. (Watch out, I riposte, it’s genetic.)

When homework has a positive impact

The nub of the matter is that homework is only useful when meaningful, related to and supporting class based work, well matched to the child, time limited and marked with top notch feedback from the teacher. Sadly, this is only the case in a minority of cases. Having got those longwinded caveats off my chest, here are some suggestions where homework can be manageable (for both the setter and the doer) and have a positive impact.

6 creative homework tasks

Interview a family member about their school days, work, play, food, etc. This develops questioning skills and can be recorded rather than written. Digital dictaphones are available for 20 quid and are within the reach of most schools. Results can be shared and presented in any way from a video presentation to a pie chart.

2. Pack a suitcase

Following some input on WWII and the mass evacuation of the young, set the children the task of making their own evacuation suitcase. (Some children will literally make one out of cardboard, but it’s the contents that are the key). What five things would they take with them and why? They can write this, or simply talk through their suitcase with the rest of the class. It’s the thinking behind this task that is the real learning. The speaking/ listening/writing is, as so often, a secondary benefit.

3. Flour babies

Read Anne Fine’s tremendous book of the same name, then provide the children with their very own flour baby (basically a 1 kilo bag of flour they have to look after as if it’s a baby). Children will draw faces on theirs, dress it, even push it to school in a toy buggy. Again, the real learning is in the thinking and empathy the activity generates.

4. Parent portraits

Sketch a parent in Henry Moore / Lucian Freud style, i.e. unflatteringly. It’s great fun, gives the parents a break from the child’s “I don’t know what to draw” cry and is a chance to look at more recent British artists.

5. Set up a museum

Our Y3 and Y4 children were recently given the task of designing their own Egyptian artefact at home. Resourcefulness from children – irrespective of family background – was stunning. We received several hieroglyphic scrolls (rolled up around cotton reels, rubbed with a tea bag to give the ageing effect) a multiplicity of pyramids (made from card, plasticine, lego), sarcophaguses, jewellery and lots of mummified Barbies and Kens. The class was turned into a museum, with carefully written exhibit cards and children curators on hand to explain the historical background to why the Egyptians valued these things, and opened up to parents and other classes on a Friday afternoon.

6. Serve breakfast

Sanctions for not having done homework don’t work, rewards do. Compare “If you don’t hand in homework you’ll miss break / lunch / PE / life.” With ” If you do hand it in regularly you’ll be invited to the end of half term Big Breakfast in the hall where your teacher will serve you toast, cereal, yoghurts, juice, etc.” Simple really, and a special occasion to look forward to at the end of half term.

Level the playing field

Set up a homework club…

For those children who don’t have access to books, internet, paper, pencils, scissors, glue at home, you could start a homework club and give those attending use of the school’s ICT facilities. For those familes who are ‘book poor’ you need to make sure your own library is well provided for. Last Christmas I asked assembly, “How many of you got some sort of a book as a Christmas present?” Less than half the hands went up. In the People’s Republic of Harcombe, when I get round to setting it up, the giving of books as presents would be enforced by presidential decree.

Throw the book at them

When parents ask about homework for their child I always respond that a) the best thing for a child to do of an evening is have some quality time with family and friends, sit down for a meal together, play a sport, learn a musical instrument or sing and not feel badgered into working all the hours God sends, and b) reading is just about the best homework anyone, adult or child, can do.

Parents don’t count reading as homework, see, and we need to educate them (this parent thinks homework is when you have indentations in your finger from holding the pen/tapping the keyboard for three hours, because writing is homework).

Time spent reading is seldom wasted and is either entertaining, thought provoking or informative or – just like this article, hopefully – all three. If you like you can structure what the children read by recommending lists (The Redlands Ten – ten books to read before you’re 10) to add a little challenge to the task. Local libraries might be able to help by ordering multiple copies of books for those parents that can’t/won’t buy them. Children get a certificate (and a book!) when they complete the ten.

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Finding an afterschool program with good homework help

By Kate Kelly

Expert reviewed by Sheldon H. Horowitz, EdD

At a glance

Afterschool programs can help kids get into good homework habits.

It’s important that the staff let you know how your child is doing with homework.

Many programs allow kids who struggle in school to use accommodations for homework.

When looking for an afterschool program for kids who struggle in school, it’s important to look at how the program handles homework. Homework is one of the keys to thriving at school. Getting it done takes organization and time management skills. And those areas are exactly where many struggling students need help.

How can you tell if a program offers enough support to make your child’s homework time productive? Here’s what to look for.

A dedicated space for homework

The area set aside for doing homework needs to be quiet and well lit. It should contain a few distinct areas:

A table (or several, ideally) for small groups of kids to work together, which may also be where students get help if they need it

A separate work area where kids can work on their own

A research area with computers so kids can look up information or type assignments

A comfortable place to read

A structured homework routine

A good program dedicates a specified amount of time for kids to complete their homework. That may mean about 30 minutes a day for grade-schoolers. And it could mean as much as two hours a day for high school students. 

If kids finish their homework early, good programs will allow them to move on to a new activity. It could be something more challenging or playing a game that uses math skills.

Some programs may give kids a snack after school. Some allow them to play outside for a while before requiring them to start homework. If the timing makes a difference for your child, make sure you ask how homework fits into the schedule.

Assistance to help your child with homework

Good programs have staff to monitor homework and provide help when needed. This person may be a certified teacher. (This is likely if the program is school based.) Some programs may hire college students.

A process to communicate with parents

Kids who struggle in school do better when their parents and afterschool staff keep in touch. Ask if the staff alerts parents when your child:

Takes a long time with an assignment

Needs a lot of help to complete an assignment

Goofs off or simply doesn’t get the homework done

It’s good to find out if they send home notes or if parents are expected to check in with staff at pickup.

A willingness to work with systems you or the school have created

Kids with learning and thinking differences can benefit from systems that help them track their work. For example, you and your child’s teacher may have created a  homework contract . It might outline expectations that your child will meet. It will also include consequences if your child doesn’t follow through, and a reward for following through. The afterschool program staff needs to be willing to enforce the contract, if possible.

Or you might have a homework log that your child uses for keeping track of assignments. If it requires a signature, the staff should be willing to sign it.

Assistance for accommodations

It’s important that an afterschool program can provide accommodations your child needs. For example, kids who struggle with writing might need to dictate their ideas rather than writing them. In such cases, the programs need to provide access to voice-to-text software or to staff who can write down students’ words. 

Completing homework on a regular basis can improve your child’s self-confidence at school. A good afterschool homework program can help. And don’t forget there are other topics to consider when looking at afterschool programs.

Key takeaways

Find out if the staff will communicate regularly with you about your child.

Ask about whether they offer separate areas for homework and play.

Remember that a strong afterschool program will help make your child feel more confident at school.

Homework tips for supporting children in primary school

By Anna Chisholm

ABC Lifestyle

Topic: Parenting

Policies and attitudes to homework vary across primary schools. ( Adobe Stock )

Homework can be a sticking point for busy families.

After experts questioned its relevance for primary schoolers, many of you weighed in on Facebook, disagreeing on how much, if any, homework is the right amount for this age group. 

So, what is beneficial? And what are some strategies to help make it a less stressful part of the day for both parents and kids?

What's the value in homework?

Grattan Institute deputy program director Amy Haywood says there is value in homework — particularly set reading — for primary school-aged kids.

Ms Haywood, based in Naarm/Melbourne, says time spent reading independently or with an adult "is a really good use of time because it builds up the vocabulary".

In addition to reading, other key skills such as maths can be a focus.

Amy Haywood says anything without an educational purpose is a waste of time for children and parents. ( Supplied: Amy Haywood )

"In classes is where they're doing a lot of the learning of new content or skills, and then outside the school might be opportunity to practise."

She says there's "clear evidence around practice leading to mastery, and then the mastery having an impact on students' engagement in school, [and] their confidence with taking on different learning tasks".

There's also a case for homework in later primary years as you might want them to build some of those study habits before they go into secondary school.

But, she says "schools need to be careful about what homework they are setting".

Communicate with the school

Ms Haywood encourages parents to speak to teachers if they have concerns about set homework.

"[Teachers] may not necessarily realise that a student is spending a lot of time or needing quite a bit of help.

"That new information is very useful for a teacher because it means that they can go back and understand what they might need to reteach and any misconceptions that they need to go over."

Find the best time for your family

Parenting expert and family counsellor Rachel Schofield says finding the best time for homework in your family's routine is important.

Based in New South Wales' Bega Valley, on traditional lands of the Yuin-Monaro Nations, she says for some families fitting it into the morning routine is easier.

Rachel Schofield says it is important to establish a routine that works for children and parents.  ( Supplied: Rachel Schofield )

It's also about when parents and caregivers are in "the best shape" to help, "because if you've got a kid that's battling homework, you're going to have to be in emotionally good shape".

"If you're really stressed at the end of the day, then that's probably not the best time."

Ms Schofield says "parents have incredibly busy lives" but if you can carve out the time "homework can become a place where you actually get to slow down and stop".

She says children below the age of 10 need a lot a supervision and shouldn't be expected to do homework independently.

Why homework straight after school might not work 

Ms Schofield says kids "need decompression time after school".

She says there's an understandable tendency among busy parents to get homework out of the way as soon as possible, but this could be working against them.

Snacks, play and time to offload are usually what primary-aged kids need, Ms Schofield says.

Some time to play and connect with a parent after school can be "really helpful".

Even 10 minutes "can make the whole trajectory of the evening go differently", she says.

Ms Schofield says kids can come home with "a lot of emotional stuff" and rough-and-tumble-play can be a good way to spend time with them and help them decompress after school.

Ms Schofield says you can also try and engage with your child 'playfully' if they are refusing to do homework.

It's tempting to be stern and serious in response, but she says treating it more "goofily" by poorly attempting to complete it yourself or asking your child for help with a task might get a better result.

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The Homework Club was established in 2002 by Belinda Slade at her home. Belinda is a trained and experienced special needs teacher.

The Homework Club soon grew in size and demand and moved  to a church venue. There are now 4 Homework Clubs in the Cashmere area, offering before and after school care and a holiday programme for 2 weeks in every school holiday.  The Homework Club is now managed by Sara Shamy,  a trained primary school teacher .

Amelia has enjoyed her time at the HWC over the last few months. Thank you so much for looking after Amelia and making her feel so comfortable and happy during the program, I’m sure we will see you all again soon.

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The Great British Homework Debate 2024 – Is It Necessary At Primary School?

Alexander Athienitis

The homework debate is never much out of the news. Should homework be banned? Is homework at primary school a waste of time? Do our children get too much homework?

Not long ago, UK-based US comedian Rob Delaney set the world alight with a tweet giving his own personal view of homework at primary school. We thought, as an organisation that provides maths homework support on a weekly basis, it was time to look at the facts around the homework debate in primary schools as well as, of course, reflecting the views of celebrities and those perhaps more qualified to offer an opinion!

Here’s how Rob Delaney kicked things off

Gary Lineker leant his support with the following soundbite:

And even Piers Morgan weighed in, with his usual balance of tact and sensitivity:

A very experienced and knowledgeable Headteacher, Simon Smith, who has a well-earned following on Twitter (for someone working in education, not hosting Match of the Day) also put his neck on the line and, some might think controversially, agreed with the golden-heeled Crisp King of Leicester…

Fortunately Katharine Birbalsingh, Conservative Party Conference keynote speaker and Founding Headteacher of the Michaela School, was on hand to provide the alternative view on the importance of homework. Her op-ed piece in the Sun gave plenty of reasons why homework should not be banned.

She was informative and firm in her article stating: “Homework is essential for a child’s education because revisiting the day’s learning is what helps to make it stick.”

KS2 Maths Games and Activities Pack

A FREE downloadable games and activity pack, including 20 home learning maths activities for KS2 children. Bring maths into your home in a fun way.

How much homework do UK primary school children get?

Sadly, there’s little data comparing how much homework primary school-aged children in the UK and across the globe complete on a weekly basis. A study of teenagers used by The Telegraph shows that American high-schoolers spend an average of 6.1 hours per week compared with 4.9 hours per week of homework each week for UK-based teens.

Up until 2012, the Department of Education recommended an hour of homework a week for primary school Key Stage 1 children (aged 4 to 7) and half an hour a day for primary school Key Stage 2 children (aged 7-11). Many primary schools still use this as a guideline.

Teachers, parents and children in many schools across the land have seen more changes of homework policy than numbers of terms in some school years.

A ‘no-homework’ policy pleases only a few; a grid of creative tasks crowd-sourced from the three teachers bothered to give their input infuriates many (parents, teachers and children alike). For some parents, no matter how much homework is set, it’s never enough; for others, even asking them to fill in their child’s reading record once a week can be a struggle due to a busy working life.

Homework is very different around the world

We’d suggest that Piers Morgan’s argument for homework in comparing the UK’s economic and social progress with China’s in recent years based on total weekly homework hours is somewhat misguided – we can’t put their emergence as the world’s (if not already, soon to be) leading superpower exclusively down to having their young people endure almost triple the number of hours spent completing homework as their Western counterparts.

Nonetheless, there’s certainly a finer balance to strike between the 14 hours a week suffered by Shanghainese school-attendees and none whatsoever. Certainly parents in the UK spend less time each week helping their children than parents in emerging economies such as India, Vietnam and Colombia (Source: Varkey Foundation Report).

Disadvantages of homework at primary school

Delaney, whose son attends a London state primary school, has made it plain that he thinks his kids get given too much homework and he’d rather have them following more active or creative pursuits: drawing or playing football. A father of four sons and a retired professional footballer Gary Linaker was quick to defend this but he also has the resources to send his children to top boarding schools which generally provide very structured homework or ‘prep’ routines.

As parents Rob and Gary are not alone. According to the 2018 Ofsted annual report on Parents Views  more than a third of parents do not think homework in primary school is helpful to their children. They cite the battles and arguments it causes not to mention the specific challenges it presents to families with SEND children many of whom report serious damage to health and self-esteem as a result of too much or inappropriate homework.

It’s a truism among teachers that some types of homework tells you very little about what the child can achieve and much more about a parent’s own approach to the work. How low does your heart sink when your child comes back with a D & T project to create Stonehenge and you realise it’s either an all-nighter with glue, cardboard and crayons for you, or an uncompleted homework project for your child!

Speaking with our teacher hats on, we can tell you that homework is often cited in academic studies looking at academic progress in primary school-aged children as showing minimal to no impact.

Back on Twitter, a fellow teacher was able to weigh-in with that point:

Benefits of homework at primary school

So what are the benefits of homework at primary school? According to the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) (the key research organisations dedicated to breaking the link between family income and educational achievement) the impact of homework at primary is low, but it also doesn’t cost much.

They put it at a “+2 months” impact against a control of doing nothing. To put this into context, 1-to-1 tuition is generally seen as a +5 months impact but it’s usually considered to be expensive.

“There is some evidence that when homework is used as a short and focused intervention it can be effective in improving students’ attainment … overall the general benefits are likely to be modest if homework is more routinely set.”

Key to the benefit you’ll see from homework is that the task is appropriate and of good quality. The quantity of homework a pupil does is not so important. In this matter Katharine Birbalsingh is on the money. Short focused tasks which relate directly to what is being taught, and which are built upon in school, are likely to be more effective than regular daily homework.

In our view it’s about consolidation. So focusing on a few times tables that you find tricky or working through questions similar to what you’ve done in class that day or week often can be beneficial. 2 hours of worksheets on a Saturday when your child could be outside having fun and making friends probably isn’t. If you really want them to be doing maths, then do some outdoor maths with them instead of homework !

At Third Space Learning we believe it’s all about balance. Give the right sort of homework and the right amount at primary school and there will be improvements, but much of it comes down to parental engagement.

One of our favourite ways to practise maths at home without it become too onerous is by using educational games. Here are our favourite fun maths games , some brilliant KS2 maths games , KS1 maths games and KS3 maths games for all maths topics and then a set of 35 times tables games which are ideal for interspersing with your regular times tables practice. And best of all, most of them require no more equipment than a pen and paper or perhaps a pack of cards.

Homework and parents

One of the key benefits cited by EEF is in regard to parental engagement. Time after time, the greatest differentiator between children who make great progress at school – and those, frankly – who don’t is due to the same factor in the same studies: parental engagement .

It is a fair assumption that if a parent is engaged in their child’s learning, they’re probably going to be the same parents who encourage and support their child when they’re completing their homework.

Whereas parents who are disengaged with their child’s school and schooling – for whatever reason (sorry, Piers, it’s rarely due to laziness), are highly unlikely to be aware of what homework gets set each week, let alone to be mucking in with making sure it gets handed in completed and on time.

We also encounter time and again, the issue of parents’ own lack of confidence in maths. A survey by Pearson found that:

• 30 percent of parents “don’t feel confident enough in their own maths skills to help their children with their primary school maths homework”
• 53 per cent insisted they struggled to understand the new maths teaching methods used in modern classrooms. Fortunately that’s what we’re here to address.

Setting the right homework at primary school can be tricky

Although we disagree with Piers, we can see what he may be driving at in terms of setting appropriate homework.

The question quickly becomes what would Piers think of as being ‘interesting’ homework, and if all four of his children would agree upon the same thing being ‘interesting’.

That’s the problem.

One would imagine Piers would find it hard enough finding one task to satisfy the interest of all of his four children – it’s almost impossible to find a task that will engage the interest of 30 or more children in their out of school hours.

Each with different emotional, behavioural and learning needs, then sprinkle in the varying levels of poverty each family suffers (be it financial or in terms of time), and you can see how it isn’t just about being a good or bad teacher – whatever that means – in regards to being able to set Morgan-approved homework tasks.

What does this mean for my child?

Ultimately, the question at the top of mind whenever a parent thinks about homework is a more general one – am I doing the best for my child?

Although the world is changing at a faster pace than ever before in human history, what’s best for children hasn’t changed that much (if at all).

One-to-one support is best, and young people benefit most from adult-child conversations where they acquire new vocabulary and language structures to form and share their thoughts and opinions.

These insights – that one-to-one support is best and that regular, structured adult-child conversations are life-changing within a child’s development – are what inspired us to create Third Space Learning.

A platform where children can engage with a community of specialist tutors in a safe, structured learning environment where they are able to engage in one-to-one conversations that enable them to progress in their learning with confidence.

• How to help your child with their maths homework – A parents guide
• The Best Homework Hacks: 18 Tips And Tricks To Help Busy Parents Get It Done Faster!
• The 20 Most Recommended Teaching Blogs for UK Teachers and School Leaders

DO YOU HAVE STUDENTS WHO NEED MORE SUPPORT IN MATHS?

Every week Third Space Learning’s maths specialist tutors support thousands of students across hundreds of schools with weekly one to one tuition designed to plug gaps and boost progress.

Since 2013 these personalised one to one lessons have helped over 169,000 primary and secondary students become more confident, able mathematicians.

Learn about our experience with schools or request a personalised quote for your school to speak to us about your school’s needs and how we can help.

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The Ultimate Guide to Effective Maths Interventions [FREE]

Find out how to plan, manage, and teach one to one (and small group) maths interventions in primary and secondary schools.

Includes a 20 point checklist of techniques to improve your one to one teaching.

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KS2 Homework Club

The Omsk State Medical University Russia (OSMU Russia) is a medical school in Omsk, Russia. It is one of the top medical universities in Russia. All Indian aspirants are eager to study for their MBBS in Russia . Omsk State Medical University Russia was formed in 1920 as the Medical Faculty of the Siberian Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Zoology and reorganised in 1921 as the West Siberian State Medical Institute. In 1925, the institution was renamed the Omsk State Medical Institute, and in 1994, the Omsk State Medical Academy. There are several advantages to studying medicine in Russia for Indian students.

This article informs Indian students about Omsk State Medical University Russia fee structure, courses provided, admission procedure, eligibility requirements, MBBS syllabus, facilities, and Omsk State Medical University Ranking and About Russia.

College Summary

Let us look at the important details of Omsk State Medical University Russia before we finish the college summary.

Affiliation and Recognition

• National Medical Commission (NMC)
• World Health Organization (WHO)
• General Medical Council of European countries and other boards
• United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE)
• WFME World Federation of Medical Education
• The American Medical Association of the United States of America

Why study at the Omsk State Medical University Russia?

• The medium of instruction at the University is English.
• There are good dormitory facilities for local as well as international students.
• OSMU Russia has creative groups for regional, national and international competitions and thus is a world of opportunities and activities for students.
• OSMU Russia has 22 specialized sports clubs, including five fitness centres, two large gyms and an Olympic sports complex with a pool.

Courses Offered by Omsk State Medical University Russia

Omsk State Medical University Russia Courses provide high-quality medical programmes with highly trained professors and cutting-edge technology. The undergraduate medical programmes of OSMU Russia are well-known. If you want more details about the MBBS course .

Omsk State Medical University Russia Admission Procedure

If you wish to attend Omsk State University Russia, you must pass the National Eligibility Entrance Exam (NEET).

Omsk State Medical University Russia Eligibility Criteria

In this section, all the students check the eligibility criteria of Omsk State Medical University Russia.

Documents Required at Omsk State Medical University Russia

Before admission to Omsk State University Russia, please do not forget to carry all these related documents.

• Passport (Minimum 18 months validity).
• 10th Certificate & Mark sheet.
• 12th Certificate & Mark sheet.
• Birth Certificate.
• 10 passport-size Photographs
• Official Invitation letter from the Medical University of Russia.
• Authorization of all documents from the Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi.
• Legalization of all documents from the Russian Embassy.
• Bank receipt of 1st year of Omsk State Medical University MBBS fees (required for some universities).
• HIV test documents.

Omsk State Medical University Fee Structure 2024-25

In this section, we provide information about the Omsk State Medical University fee structure.   Low fees for MBBS Colleges in Russia .

Omsk State Medical University Ranking 2024-25

According to EduRank, the Omsk State Medical University ranking in Russia and all over the world:

Omsk State Medical University Russia MBBS Syllabus

Please review the MBBS syllabus of some of Russia’s top-ranked NMC-approved medical universities before applying to Omsk State Medical University Russia. The following is the structure and pattern of MBBS in Russia.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Studying in Russia

Omsk State Medical University Russia has become a famous MBBS study-abroad location for Indian students. Russia is the country with the second-highest number of Indian students studying medicine. There is a whole range of reasons why you should study MBBS in Russia.

Advantages of studying in Russia:-

• The tuition Fee is very affordable compared to Indian Medical Colleges.
• Russian universities have the best and easiest admission procedure.
• They are providing world-class infrastructure with modern facilities in colleges.
• International exposure for those who are also from different country backgrounds.
• V.I. Vernadsky Crimean Federal University works with great professionals, doctors and researchers; that’s why Indian students will be admitted to Russia.

Disadvantages of Studying in Russia

The Omsk State Medical University Russia also has some disadvantages. These points are mentioned below.

• Local language going to any foreign country will mean that you must adjust according to the new country.
• Some students find it hard to adjust to the cold climate or weather of Russia. The temperature will be below 0 degrees for about 3 to 4 months.
• Cultural hindrance is understandable, and the student may find it difficult to adjust and adapt to the new country and culture.

Contact Details

Omsk State Medical University Russia (OSMU Russia) Address:  Ulitsa Lenina, 12, Omsk, Omsk Oblast, Russia, 644099 Official Website:  http://omsk-osma.ru/

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What type of food is available at the omsk state medical university hostel.

Indian food is available at the OSMU Russia hostel. All types of vegetarian and non-vegetarian food are available at the hostel, and in Russia, there is a wide variety of milk products and fruits.

How is the classroom environment at Omsk State Medical University Russia?

At Omsk State University, the teacher-student ratio of 1:10 gives students a more attentive and personal learning environment.

Which facilities does the university provide for students’ physical fitness?

The university provides well-equipped gyms, a sports and recreation centre, and ski centres for physical fitness.

Where is Omsk State Medical University Russia located?

Omsk State Medical University Russia Address is Ulitsa Lenina, 12, Omsk, Omsk Oblast, Russia, 644099.

Carrier scope for Indian students after studying MBBS in Russia?

After completing their MBBS in Russia, candidates can work in any of the country’s private nursing facilities or hospitals.

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About Rahul

Hi, I'm Rahul Kumar, with a year of expertise in MBBS and Ayush courses. I have detailed knowledge of various colleges' fee structures, cutoffs, and intake procedures. If you're looking for insights or assistance in pursuing MBBS or BAMS courses, feel free to comment below—I'm here to help!

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