A CONCERNED mother has complained to the education watchdog Ofsted over controversial plans to scrap homework at a popular secondary school.

Philip Morant School and College principal Catherine Hutley announced the school’s decision to get rid of traditional homework saying it wasn’t working.

She said teachers today have an impossible task in teaching, setting and marking homework and planning lessons.

As such it was decided their time would be better spent planning lessons more carefully than marking homework.

Ms Hutley said the change in approach would ensure the curriculum is covered during lessons and students at the Colchester school will be encouraged to do voluntary extension work through the ProveIt+ website.

The decision has received national attention and has divided parents.

A poll on the Gazette’s website, which closes today, saw 58 per cent of parents in favour of abolishing traditional homework - 208 voters - compared to 42 per cent against - 151 people.

But Haidee Robertson-Tant, whose children are in Year 7 and Year 9 at the school, said she is seriously concerned about the impact on children’s education.

She has now contacted the school’s governors to complain, as well as the school and Ofsted.

She is also considering setting up a meeting so parents can meet to discuss their concerns.

She said: “There was already a lack of homework last year and I had to get a private tutor to give my son additional support in Maths and English.

“I fear children will fall behind because of this decision.

“The school held an event to tell us what was being proposed and asked for our views. The next thing it has been introduced.

“I think there are a lot of frustrated parents out there who don’t have a clue what is going on.

“Insisting the curriculum is completed in lessons will put more strain on teachers.”

Haidee said voluntary extra study also created more arguments.

She added: “I think the idea of reducing homework is right but there needs to be more guidance.

“If you make it optional, children will not do it.”

A number of parents have commented on the issue on the Gazette’s website.

Emma Macey Clarke said: “I think homework should be set in limited amounts at secondary school just to check the children have understood what they’ve learnt.

“I don’t, however, agree to nightly homework and ridiculous projects that take up all our weekend time.

“What happened to spending time with our children, playing at the park?”

Parents say getting rid of homework will give families back precious time. Views left on our Facebook page include:

Michelle Bloomfield: “Homework completely ruins quality family time. I hate having to force my son to sit down at the weekend to do school work.
“I want to do fun stuff with him that he enjoys in our free time together.”

Rebecca Silkstone: “Aren’t they at school long enough? Isn’t there life lessons to be learnt? 
“Casual chat with family, imaginative play with siblings, helping with little tasks that makes them feel homely. I loved school as a child and love learning, but if I could change my own life I would spend more time being human than being a robot.”

Mand Prior: “Scrap it in every school, or at least cut it right down. My oldest only started secondary school this month and her evenings are spent doing homework, I don’t feel like I spend much time with her. The homework takes forever, even though the school states 30 minutes for each piece. The children are told if they don’t do it, then they will be in after school detention.
“Totally ruins family time after school and can be very stressful at times.”

Suzanne Swannell: “I agree with reading and spellings being done at home, but not all the rest. My son struggles at school. He gets so overwhelmed by the amount of homework he has to do. 
“He goes to homework club afterschool for an hour, can’t get it all done so we have to do it after tea so he gets about an hour or two free time. Kids should be treated as kids.”

Carla Wilson: “A little bit is good I think, but my sons, who are in primary school, now get daily homework.
“I never had that much even in secondary school and I got a good education. I know the bar has been raised to get the grade but they are children and need time between school and bed to do things like eat, relax, have a bath. Life is so rushed.”