A recent study that has monitored the progress of 3,000 children over a period of 15 years has found that students who spend more than two hours per night doing homework are more likely to achieve better results in English, maths, and science. The research, which was published by the Department for Education, highlights that even spending a tiny amount of time on homework can be of benefit. However, it shows that students who spent two to three hours on homework per night gained the greatest advantage. The study differs from previous research, which reveals a minimal link between homework and academic achievement at secondary school. In this research, the academics emphasize what students do, rather than how much work the school sets. Pam Sammons, an education professor at Oxford University, explains that how much time is spent on homework can reflect the influence of the school, including a student’s enthusiasm for their subjects. Sammons further suggests that Chinese and Indian students do well because they tend to put more time into their homework. The study does not advocate that everyone should spend large amounts of time on homework, but proposes a shift to an average of one to two hours a night, as students can benefit from increased expectation of academic effort. The study was conducted by academics from multiple universities in London and monitored children from preschool to the age of 14. The study also highlights that students who enjoy school and have supportive and instructive teachers tend to achieve better results. Research suggests that children from disadvantaged backgrounds can succeed against all odds, providing their parents have high aspirations for them, value learning, and encourage extra-curricular activities. The study also confirms the importance of attending an “academically effective” primary school, as these students performed better in maths and science in later life. Recent guidelines for homework have been cancelled, enabling headteachers to set their own homework policy.
