Homework

WHY IS HOMEWORK IMPORTANT?

Homework is valuable for the following reasons:

It can help pupils to make more rapid progress in learning.
It can allow pupils to develop the practice of working on their own without the constant presence of the teacher or other pupils on the one hand and the external discipline of the timetable, bells etc. on the other. This way of working is vital at the later stages of secondary education and after.
Work at home can provide the quiet and private conditions needed for creative and thoughtful work of all kinds.
It can allow valuable practice of skills learned in the classroom.
It can allow pupils to use materials and other sources of information that are not available at school
It can involve parents and others in the pupils’ work for their mutual benefit
It can give opportunities for long term research and other work.
It can form an important part of the pupil’s notes.
This gives pupils valuable experience of working to dead lines and facilitates staff with their marking schedules
It forms a link with the methods of study crucial to success at Secondary School

THE NATURE OF THE HOMEWORK.

We have a system whereby the class teacher sets one or two pieces of homework per week. The nature of the homework will vary between year groups, different classes and topics of study. Homework is not set for school holidays. Marking homework forms an integral part of our assessment – see the Assessment policy. We aim to return marked homework to the pupils as soon as possible, for inclusion in that topic of work and whilst the exercise is fresh in the pupil’s mind.

Each homework may involve the following:

Reading, writing & spelling. In the early years reading books are taken home as a matter of course. Pupils ‘read’ at home and/or practise key words or sounds with their family. Weekly spellings can be given and possibly number bonds or tables.
Observing and recording
Making a model to exemplify an item of work. This often involves the whole family in the discussion, e.g. a musical instrument, circuit games, digestive system. Materials are either provided or involve the use of `household junk` items. The majority of pupils thoroughly enjoy this type of challenge and commit more than 1 hour to the task;
Completing an exercise to practice, enforce or apply aspects of the class work, e.g. writing up practical work. This type of homework would usually be restricted to years 5 and 6.
The task selected by the class teacher is commensurate with the ability of the pupils.

HOW DOES THE SCHOOL HELP PUPILS ORGANISE THEIR HOMEWORK?

Each KS2 pupil is given a homework diary at the beginning of the year. It says when the homework for each subject area will be set and when it is due in. We normally give up to a week to complete homework to allow flexibility.

We try to make sure that our instructions concerning homework are clear to everyone in the class, and that all pupils have plenty of time to copy down what is expected.

We aim to mark or respond to homework regularly, and in a way that is helpful to pupils.

HOW CAN PARENTS OR GUARDIANS HELP WITH HOMEWORK?

Check that homework details are filled in clearly and regularly in the homework diary. There is space there for your regular signature.
Help your child organise his or her time to best advantage so that things are not all left to the last minute or even forgotten.
Try to make sure that there are suitable working conditions at home.
Take a positive and active interest in your child’s work at home rather than just insisting that it is done.
Let us know if there are problems with homework that you cannot resolve. Perhaps your child seems to be doing too much, or not enough, or is finding it too easy or too difficult. Contact the class teacher in the first instance who will be glad to help.

FAILURE TO HAND IN HOMEWORK

We expect completed homework to be given in on time. This gives pupils valuable experience of working to dead lines and facilitates staff with their marking schedules. If homework is not given in appropriate action is taken:

the class teacher will have a discussion with the pupil to find out if there are good reasons for the failure to hand in the work;
the class teacher may contact the parents;
a homework report may be issued;
pupils may be told to attend a lunch time study/test session to complete the work.