Homework Peter Tymms MMXI

Outline Why give homework? What has previously been published? –A level –Primary What is new? –GCSE Maths and English Language

Why give homework? Increase attainment Catch up work that was missed Encourage independence Give time to consolidate ideas Instil work habits Please parents Please inspectors

A level How much time is spent per week? –5 hours per subject on average. –Most in maths (5.6) –Least in General Studies (0.6) –Girls report doing more (30 mins) –Higher achievers report less (25 mins) NB Data from a decade ago

A level How much difference does on extra hour per week make? –About 0.06 grades Working >7 hours a week instead of <2: –about a third of a grade. No link to the average amount per school Fairly consistent across subjects –but

General Studies More than 2 hours per week associated with negative gains. More is not always better

Primary (Year 6) Amount of homework: asked to select –None –Once a month –Once a week –More often Most common responses –Maths: Once a week –Reading: More often –Science: None Girls –More for reading –Slightly more for maths –The same for science Amount varied across schools dramatically

Primary How much difference did it make? –Very very little –Once a month was best in all areas No link to the average amount per school

GCSE

How conscientious in maths?

GCSE How conscientious in English

Variation by school (maths)

Variation by school (English)

What difference does it make? Doing homework versus doing none Comparing residuals –Maths 0.44 grades –English 0.45 grades But: the unlike A level and Year 6 the amount per school is important

Amount per school and per student Maths School: If 50% more do homework all pupils are 0.8 grades better Student: If a pupil does homework 0.2 grades better English School: If 50% more do homework all pupils are 0.45 grades better Student: If a pupil does homework 0.5 grades better