How much homework should a Year 09 student be doing? Raisingkids.co.uk's Education expert, Elizabeth Cook, solves the Mystery of the Vanishing Homework Assignments.

Raisingkids member's problem
I'm concerned about homework in Year 09, or the lack of it. My daughter's assignments seem very little, or non-existent. I have to sign a book for the school, confirming she has done the work but, looking at her timetable, the set homework doesn't tally. She often says she's done it in the classroom during the lesson, or already handed it in, or that it's not due in yet.

I advise her to do her assignments straight away so the topic is fresh in her mind (rather than leaving it a week) but these days I feel like giving advice is ensuring she'll do the opposite! I've taken to writing in her book for school that we dont get to see any homework, so how can we be expected to sign saying she's done it? I dont think the school is giving enough homework - how is she going to cope with GCSEs?

Elizabeth's advice
It might be worth going to the school and speaking to your daughter's form teacher. Many children pretend that they've already done their homework, or have not received any, when in reality this is not the case. If your daughter is doing this then you need to show her that she can't get away with it... and going to the school will clearly demonstrate this! Hope this helps.

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