A school in Harlow, Essex, is under scrutiny for its policy of giving detentions to top set pupils who score below 90% on maths homework. Stewards Academy, led by head teacher Stephen Drew, received a "requires improvement" rating from Ofsted in May 2024. The policy aims to push students towards academic excellence but has faced backlash from parents who describe it as excessively harsh.
At the heart of the controversy is Joseph, a parent whose Year 7 son recently received a 30-minute detention for scoring 81% on his maths homework. Joseph criticized the policy, stating that it unfairly penalizes students who struggle to meet the high standards set by the school.
"It seems schools are under pressure to provide excellent results all the time, and that 90% isn't good enough." – Joseph
Stewards Academy justifies its approach by aligning homework with what pupils have been taught in the previous week. The school emphasizes that teachers are available during the week to provide additional support, including a daily homework club in the library.
"The teachers are available during the week – lunchtimes, after school – to help. We have a homework club in the library every single day," – Stephen Drew
However, Joseph argues that this method may have adverse effects on students' mental well-being and confidence. He expressed concern that children making genuine efforts could feel demoralized by punitive measures.
"If children have made an attempt to do something and then they're being punished for that attempt, I feel it will have negative consequences for children's mental wellbeing and confidence." – Joseph
The Department for Education has stated that detention is listed as a "sanction" for misbehavior, but leaves the development and implementation of policies to school leaders.
"It is for school leaders to develop and implement a policy that works for their own schools and school community." – Department for Education
Critics like Joseph argue that such policies may lead to continuous trouble for students who hover around the threshold but do not quite meet it.
"Those children in the middle ground are going to be continuously in trouble for not quite hitting those thresholds." – Joseph
