Call for homework to be scrapped

Homework at primary school should be scrapped, a leading teachers’ union has said.

Giving homework to the under-11s can cause them to resent school and cause family conflict, according to the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL).

Pressure to complete homework can make pupils unhappy and can end up being counterproductive the union said.

Dr Mary Bousted, general secretary of ATL said that homework can put a high level of stress on pupils, particularly those form disadvantaged backgrounds.

“I think it sets up a cycle of resistance to school because they don't have access to the cultural and emotional and learning support which middle class children can get,” she said.

The issue is due to be debated at the ATL annual conference next week.

According to government regulations, homework is not compulsory, although it is recommended to support classroom learning.

The ATL have now called for a royal commission to be established to investigate why so many children are unhappy at school.