Head who cut out homework to save teachers time is reported to Ofsted

A secondary school head who delighted pupils by scrapping homework so that stressed teachers could have more time to plan lessons has been reported to Ofsted.

Parents fear the policy will result in children at Philip Morant School and College, Colchester, falling behind.

The school took the unusual step after the principal admitted there was not enough time for staff to complete all their work.

Instead of setting and marking homework, teachers have been invited to use their time “planning lessons more precisely”.

Principal Catherine Hutley said teachers’ jobs at the 1,650-pupil school had become “impossible”.

Haidee Robertson-Tant, the mother of two pupils, reported the head to Ofsted and complained to school governors.

She said: “There was already a lack of homework and I had to get a private tutor to give my son additional support in maths and English. The school held an event to tell us what was being proposed and asked for our views. The next thing, it has been introduced.

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