Teachers call for Royal Commission into 'why children are so unhappy'

The call comes in the wake of a major international report from Unicef that put the UK at the bottom of a league table for childhood well-being.

The teachers argue that compulsory homework should be scrapped for primary school children and cut back for teenagers because the pressure it causes is a key factor in childhood unhappiness.

One independent secondary school, the Wellington College in Berkshire, has even introduced "happiness" lessons in an attempt to make sure pupils grow up with the emotional resilience they need.

The Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL) will debate a motion at its annual conference in Torquay next week "that many children in our schools appear unhappy and anxious".

The motion adds: "Children should be able to explore, experiment and enjoy their learning without feeling pressurised.

"Homework has become an increasing pressure placed on children in primary and secondary schools."

The union blames a lack of resources and parental help available to less-advantaged pupils for causing resentment.

General secretary Dr Mary Bousted said: "Everyone just accepts that homework has got to be done.

"I think a lot of homework is a waste of time. It puts a huge amount of stress, particularly on children from disadvantaged homes."

For these poorer children, who do not have books, computers and well-educated parents to help, homework can lead to resentment of school, she said.

"Middle-class children can go home and get help with their homework; disadvantaged children can't and then they get in trouble," Dr Bousted said.

"I think it sets up a cycle of resistance to school because they don't have access to the cultural and emotional and learning support which middle-class children can get."

Current guidelines say children aged five to seven should be set an hour's homework a week, rising to two-and-a-half hours a night for 14 to 16-year-olds.

A spokesman for the Department for Children, Schools and Families rejected the union's concerns, saying: "A good, well-organised homework programme helps children and young people to develop the skills and attitudes they will need for successful, independent, lifelong learning.

"Research shows that for most children, 2008 is a great time to be a child.

"Most children are happy, most are achieving to a higher level than ever before, enjoying better health, more opportunities to travel, to engage in sport or cultural activities than was the case for any previous generation."

Some primary schools have already replaced homework with activities with parents, such as museum visits.