Few topics at the school gate generate quite as much debate as homework. Some parents worry their child isn't doing enough; others feel the nightly stack of worksheets is stealing precious family time. In England, there is no law telling schools how much homework to set — but there is plenty of research, guidance, and professional opinion to help you judge whether your child's homework load is appropriate.
England has no statutory homework policy. The Department for Education (DfE) abolished its official homework guidelines in 2012, leaving each school free to set its own expectations. This means homework loads vary enormously between schools — even in the same street.
What Is the Purpose of Primary School Homework?
Before asking whether there is too much, it helps to understand what homework is actually for. Research broadly identifies three purposes:
- Consolidation — Practising skills recently taught in class (e.g., times tables, phonics, spelling lists)
- Preparation — Reading ahead or gathering information for an upcoming topic
- Extension — Deeper exploration of a subject for pupils who thrive on independent learning
At primary level, consolidation — particularly reading and number fluency — is where the evidence for homework's benefit is strongest. Extended project-style homework in primary is where the evidence is weakest, and the risk of causing stress is highest.
What Did the Old Government Guidance Say?
Before the DfE withdrew its homework guidelines in 2012, the recommended amounts were widely used as a benchmark. Many teachers and school leaders still refer to them informally:
| Year Group | Recommended Weekly Time |
|---|---|
| Reception & Year 1–2 (KS1) | ~1 hour per week |
| Years 3–4 (Lower KS2) | ~1.5 hours per week |
| Years 5–6 (Upper KS2) | ~30 minutes per day (2.5 hrs/week) |
These figures were always intended as a guide, not a target. A child completing 30 minutes of focused reading and 10 minutes of times-table practice in Year 4 is likely doing more educationally valuable work than one spending 90 minutes reluctantly completing a project on a topic they barely understand.
If your child is spending significantly more time on homework than the above figures suggest is typical, contact their class teacher. Ask whether the tasks are differentiated — some children may need more scaffolding to complete the same task in a reasonable time, and the school may not realise the home impact.
What Does the Research Actually Say?
The evidence on homework at primary level is more nuanced than either camp in the debate often admits.
The Case For (Modest) Homework
The Education Endowment Foundation (EEF), which synthesises research evidence for English schools, found that homework has a moderate positive effect on attainment — but the effect size is smaller in primary than in secondary. The most consistently supported forms of primary homework are:
- Daily reading — Even 10–15 minutes of reading aloud or independently has a measurable long-term effect on vocabulary, comprehension, and overall academic progress
- Number fluency practice — Regular short practice with times tables, number bonds, and mental arithmetic strategies builds automaticity that directly supports maths attainment
- Spelling and phonics review — Short, frequent practice (not one night before a test) aids retention
The Case Against Heavy Homework
Research also consistently shows that poorly designed or excessive homework can:
- Increase family stress, particularly in households where parents work irregular hours or do not speak English as a first language
- Widen the attainment gap — children from disadvantaged backgrounds have less access to quiet space, resources, and adult support at home
- Damage children's intrinsic motivation and love of learning when it is perceived as punitive or pointless
- Displace sleep, physical activity, and unstructured play — all of which have their own robust evidence base for child development
The question is not how much homework, but what kind. Ten minutes of focused daily reading is worth far more than 90 minutes of a half-understood project. Quality, relevance, and manageability matter more than total time.
What Are Schools Typically Setting in 2026?
Practices vary enormously, but common patterns in English primary schools include:
KS1 (Reception – Year 2)
- A reading book changed 2–3 times per week, with an expectation of 10–15 minutes of shared reading daily
- Weekly phonics or spellings to practise (typically 5–10 words)
- Occasional number fluency activities (often via apps such as Numbots or TT Rockstars)
Lower KS2 (Years 3–4)
- Independent reading daily (15–20 minutes), recorded in a reading diary
- Weekly spellings and times tables practice
- A short maths or English task one or two evenings per week
- Occasional topic projects (one per half-term in many schools)
Upper KS2 (Years 5–6)
- Daily independent reading
- Regular maths, English and sometimes science tasks — often linked to SATs preparation in Year 6
- Grammar, spelling, and vocabulary activities
- In Year 6, many schools increase homework frequency significantly from January onwards as SATs approach in May
Signs That Your Child's Homework Load May Be Too Heavy
Homework should be manageable. Watch for these signs that the balance has tipped too far:
- Your child regularly takes more than twice the expected time to complete tasks
- Homework frequently causes tears, arguments, or significant anxiety
- Your child is completing homework at the expense of sleep (the recommended amount for primary-age children is 9–11 hours)
- Family mealtimes or outdoor play are consistently disrupted by homework demands
- Your child is copying answers or rushing tasks simply to "get it done" rather than to learn
Some schools in England have adopted a "no-homework policy" — replacing traditional tasks with a recommended reading list and a single half-termly project. Schools such as these often cite improved family wellbeing and no measurable decline in attainment as the outcome.
How to Talk to School About Homework Concerns
If you feel the homework load is unreasonable, you have every right to raise it — professionally and constructively. Here's how:
Step 1 — Check the School's Homework Policy
Most schools publish their homework policy on their website. This should state the expected weekly time commitments by year group. If your child is consistently taking much longer, this is factual evidence to bring to a conversation.
Step 2 — Speak to the Class Teacher First
Start with the class teacher, not the headteacher. Frame the conversation around your child's experience rather than a blanket complaint. "Tom is spending 45 minutes on the maths sheet and getting distressed — is that typical, or is there something he's struggling with?" is more productive than "There's too much homework."
Step 3 — Use the School's Formal Channels If Needed
If concerns persist, you can raise them with the headteacher or, for systemic issues affecting multiple children, through the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) or by writing to the school governors. For more on how to get involved in school governance, read our guide on PTAs and school governors.
If homework is regularly incomplete because your child is overwhelmed, it is entirely reasonable to write a brief note in the homework diary explaining why. Teachers generally prefer this transparency to a child feeling they have failed. Communication always beats silence.
Making Homework Work at Home
Regardless of how much homework is set, a few practical strategies make the process significantly smoother:
- Set a routine — Same time, same place each day reduces resistance. After a snack and 20–30 minutes of decompression after school tends to work better than immediately after arrival
- Prioritise reading above all else — If there is a choice between reading and a worksheet, the reading consistently has greater long-term impact
- Keep sessions short and focused — A 15-minute concentrated session beats a distracted 45-minute one
- Avoid doing it for them — Explaining a concept is helpful; doing the work is counterproductive and prevents teachers from knowing where gaps exist
- Celebrate effort over outcome — Praising persistence ("You kept trying even when it was hard") is more motivating than praising the grade
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I refuse to let my child do homework?
There is no legal obligation for children to complete homework at primary level — homework is not a statutory requirement. However, refusing entirely may put you at odds with the school's expectations and could affect the relationship. If you have concerns about the amount, raise them directly with the school rather than simply not engaging.
My child's school sets no homework. Should I be worried?
Not necessarily. A number of well-regarded primary schools set minimal or no formal homework, relying instead on encouraged reading and occasional projects. What matters most is what happens in the classroom. If your child is happy, progressing well, and reading regularly, a low-homework policy is unlikely to disadvantage them.
Should I use tutors to supplement homework?
Tutoring can be beneficial if your child has a specific gap — for example, struggling with multiplication in Year 4 — but should not become a substitute for school learning or an additional homework burden on top of existing tasks. If your child is already overwhelmed, adding tutoring sessions may increase stress without proportionate benefit.
What about homework in Year 6 before SATs?
Many schools increase homework significantly in the Spring and Summer terms of Year 6. This is broadly accepted practice, but should still be manageable. If your child is spending more than 45–60 minutes each evening on SATs preparation at home, raise it with the teacher. For a full guide, see our article on SATs: what parents need to know.
