Jane Atkinson Calls Out Simon Cowell Over “Daft” Homework Views: “Shockingly Irresponsible and Deeply Misguided”
The Sun – June 14, 2025 — British journalist Jane Atkinson has taken a strong stance against music mogul Simon Cowell after he publicly declared that he believes homework should be banned in schools. In a sharply worded op-ed, Atkinson criticized Cowell’s comments as not only “daft,” but “shockingly irresponsible,” especially given his influence as a public figure.
Cowell, who is best known for launching global talent shows like The X Factor and America’s Got Talent, recently appeared on This Morning and stirred controversy by saying:
“I would say to any teacher watching this: ban homework. The kids will be happier, and the results will be better.”
Cowell’s remarks were made in reference to his 11-year-old son Eric, for whom he reportedly insists on a homework-free routine. While Cowell framed his statement as promoting children's happiness and mental health, Jane Atkinson argues that such a position is dangerously shortsighted.
“Simon Cowell may have a great ear for talent, but when it comes to education, he’s tone-deaf,” Atkinson wrote. “I admire his contributions to the entertainment industry, and I respect his philanthropy, but that doesn’t mean his opinions on academic development should be taken as gospel.”
Atkinson emphasized the foundational role that homework plays in a child’s learning journey. She pointed out that beyond just reinforcing classroom material, homework fosters independence, time management skills, and self-discipline — qualities that are crucial for personal and professional success later in life.
“In a world where young people must compete not just with each other, but with increasingly sophisticated artificial intelligence, pulling back on education is the last thing we should be doing,” she wrote. “Homework isn’t punishment. It’s practice.”
She also took issue with Cowell using his personal parenting choices as a public example. “Simon may not value homework for his son, but that doesn’t mean millions of other children should be deprived of it,” she noted. “Parents around the country are struggling to support their kids’ education — the last thing they need is a celebrity telling them it doesn’t matter.”
Atkinson warned that when influential figures make sweeping statements like this, they risk undermining the work of teachers and school systems that are already stretched thin. “It’s not just irresponsible,” she concluded. “It’s a slap in the face to educators who know how critical structured learning really is.”
The backlash to Cowell’s comments has sparked broader conversations about the value of homework and the role of parental influence in shaping education policy. While some parents supported his child-focused view, others echoed Atkinson’s concerns, saying that eliminating homework entirely would lower standards and set children up for failure.
Atkinson’s editorial ends with a call for balance — not banning homework, but perhaps reforming it to focus on quality over quantity. “Let’s not throw out a vital part of learning just because it’s unpopular. Let’s make it better, not nonexistent.”
