‘Homework too taxing’
BAN TO BEAT STRESS
A SCHOOL has stopped setting homework over fears it makes children too stressed.
Teachers believe making children do extra maths and English has become a waste of time that has no effect on how well they do.
Only Year Six pupils will now get work to take home at Littletown Primary Academy in Honiton, Devon.
The rest are simply being asked to read for at least 20 minutes a day and practise times tables.
School bosses hope it will improve mental wellbeing and take pressure off kids and their families.
Head David Perkins said the decision was based on educational research and consultation with parents.
And he claimed that daily reading had a much bigger impact on pupils’ overall achievement.
The school has now launched a fundraising campaign for library books, starting with a sponsored read next week. Mr Perkins said: “Reading for 20 minutes a day can make a massive difference to a child’s education but only if we can give the children the best possible books to inspire their love of reading. “We want to reinvigorate our library with fresh and exciting books to read.”
School literacy chief Cathy Binmore said: “Reading underpins all other learning. “It will set our children up for a life of adventure and enable them to continue learning throughout their lives.”