Homework

The Purpose of Homework

Ø Homework allows teachers, parents and children to work together in partnership; giving parents the opportunity to see what their children are achieving and to become involved in their children’s school studies.

Ø It allows learning opportunities found in the home to be exploited and tasks more appropriate to the home environment to be set.

Ø Homework extends the time available for learning.

Ø Homework can encourage children to develop the confidence and self-discipline necessary for independent study.

Ø Homework encourages children to set aside a regular time for independent study. For this reason the school believes that in the majority of circumstances, homework should be carried out at home.

The Type and Amount of Homework

Ø Homework demands will increase as children move through the school.

Ø Homework demands will cover a broad range of curriculum areas.

Year 5

In Year 5 children will be introduced to the demands of homework gradually with homework assignments becoming more regular from the spring term onwards.

Children will be set homework in English, Maths and Science on a weekly basis with 30 minutes being the approximate time to be spent on homework.

Year 6

Approximate time to be spent on homework is 30 minutes a night.

English, Mathematics, Science and Humanities will set homework on a weekly basis whereas Art, Technology, RE, PHSE, French and Music will set work less frequently.

Years 7 and 8

Approximate time to be spent on homework is 40 - 60 minutes a night. English, Mathematics, Science, French, and Humanities will set homework on a weekly basis whereas Art, Technology, RE, PHSE and Music will set work less frequently.

All Year Groups

Reading is an important skill and will sometimes be the homework that is set. On days where no other homework is set it is recommended that children read for at least 20 minutes. All children have a Reading Record to record books they have read. These records have a space for parental comment.

Practical Arrangements for the Setting of Homework.

Ø A Homework Timetable will be established at the beginning of each academic year for each year group by the Head of Year in consultation with Curriculum Co-ordinators and Class Teachers. This will ensure homework demands are balanced and manageable.

Ø Children will have a copy of their homework timetable in their Day Books.

Ø Children will record homework in their Day Books and the date on which that homework is due.

Ø When no homework has been set children will record “No homework set” in their Day Book.

Ø When homework is not completed teachers will record this in the child’s Day Book with a record of the action that is then taken.

Ø When research homework has been set the children will be given extra time to allow them to collect the information necessary.

Strategies for Dealing with Homework That Has Not Been Completed

Ø Incomplete homework is recorded in the Day Book.

Ø Where homework is not completed the subject teacher will arrange a detention for the child either at break or lunchtime.

Ø Where a more persistent problem occurs the Subject Teacher will notify the child’s Form Tutor and the Subject Teacher will keep the child in at break or lunchtime for a detention.

Ø If there are significant grounds for concern over homework the Form Tutor will send a standard letter home to inform parents. The head of year and the curriculum co-ordinator will be informed at this stage.

Ø An after school detention will be the next stage in the discipline procedure; an appointment to discuss this matter with parents would seem appropriate at this point. The Subject Teacher will be responsible for this detention.

For further information about Homework please ask to see the school’s complete Homework Policy Document.

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