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More details from petition creator

As a qualified teacher of more than 30 years’ experience, I see children being loaded down more and more with multiple subjects of homework every night of the week and weekends. I am very concerned about the effect it has on them.

At the end of the school day, children should pursue other interests; Brownies, Cubs, Guides, Scouts, learning an instrument, sports, voluntary work, youth clubs, gardening etc. Those with talents need time to hone these lifetime skills.

Time spent with family is limited enough as it is. Time together to sit down for a family meal once a day used to be the norm. Now if they can have one meal a week sitting together around a table, they are doing well and homework is a major divisive factor in family evening life.

The musicians, writers, artists etc of our future should be learning these skills in their spare time. Excessive homework as a concept is out-dated, unnecessary and the last resort of teachers who fail to cover the curriculum in class time. We urge you to have OFSTED examine the practice urgently.

Current signatories

Sheila Joynes, the Petition Creator, joined by:

• Stephen Bell
• Georgina Allen
• John Evans
• Mr Partis (petitions.pm.gov.uk/tombaker/)
• Jane Eggers
• Jane Smith
• Margaret Neul
• Lorna Lindo
• Juliet Lewis
• Tina Surman
• Andy Crocker
• Janet Simpson
• Abdullah Rhodes-Taylor
• Emma Booth
• Ian Hattersley
• John Leonard Lynch
• Paula Lin
• Janet Wilson
• Bev Sherratt
• Abi Deakin
• Jenny Kenwright
• Elizabeth Phillips
• Alistair Downham
• J Lowenthal
• Cliff Stanford
• Melanie J Millington
• Thomas Gorner
• Sam Vella
• ed rowley
• Kayley Mcpherson
• Harry Orgab
• Heather Curtis
• grace lawley
• Emily Hill
• Georgina
• Nathan Flannery
• Tilly Shackley
• Louisa
• Ophelia
• Lucy Button
• Annabel Blackmore
• sanjeev masson
• Verity Geeves
• Laura Mason
• Sarah Joscelyne
• Naomi Wright
• Janet Delve
• kim tewnion
• Caroline Elsden-Stokes
• Lisa Taylor
• Sylvia List
• sam hoppen
• georgina tanner
• Susan Cade
• Clare Chapman
• J Spencer
• claudia spicks