Colchester school gets rid of traditional homework

A school in Colchester has made the decision to stop setting any kind of traditional homework in favour of new interest driven schemes.

Secondary school Philip Morant School and College has put an end to enforced, traditional homework in favour of a much more relaxed approach.

Teachers will now be introducing two new schemes to students, ‘Prove It+’ for kids in Key Stage 3 and 4 and ‘Independent Study Tasks’ for those in Key Stage 5.

This comes after the school examined the flaws in traditional homework setting and decided this old method doesn't match up to modern society.

Speaking to The Huffington Post UK, Principal Catherine Hutley said, 'We know that traditional homework is not working for the majority of our students. This new approach allows us to more carefully track and monitor students both academically but also against skills critical for their lives ahead.'

The new tasks will concentrate more on learning that goes on outside the classroom, helping to develop each child into a well rounded person.

A letter that went out to all parents from the school explained the new changes, reading, 'Students will be expected to select appropriate tasks based on guidance from their teachers, their own targets and their own interests. Students and parents will find tasks on the school website. We would encourage you to look at these with your son or daughter, as some of the tasks support community and charity awareness in order to develop the whole child.'

The headteacher continued, 'We are excited by our new Prove It+ approach which replaces traditional homework. We have had an incredible response from parents and carers, with over 250 parents attending workshops to explore and develop the approach further.'

'We are very aware that opinions on this issue are polarised, with many parents and carers delighted by the change but others concerned by what the move will mean for their child.'

'We will continue to work closely with parents, carers and our students to ensure that this approach works for our students.'

'For those that think this is in some way a risk, I can simply say that the risk to our students’ education would be to sit back and do nothing when we know something is not working for so many of our students.'

So far, students seem to be all for the new approach to homework and some have expressed so in quotes gathered by the school.

A year 8 pupil commented, 'It is better than doing homework because you can choose what you focus and develop.'

Would you be happy to see this new way of working at your child's school? Or do you think this will inhabit student's learning? Let us know in the comments below