Homework
Homework makes an important contribution to a child’s progress at school. It can stimulate a love for learning which a child will develop as they grow. It enables children to consolidate, reinforce and practise the skills and understanding acquires in school. It also enables them to extend their learning at home, through additional reading or research. Homework encourages children to develop their study skills, their independence, their responsibility for their own learning and their ability to organise their time to meet the increasing demands they will face at secondary school.
We have a strong commitment to parental involvement and see homework as one way of developing this partnership in that it can inform parents about the learning taking place in school as well as providing an opportunity for one-to-one time with a parent and their child.
In the Early Years, homework will involve children and parents in active learning opportunities. This may be based on developing early literacy and numeracy through the playing of games and through talk. Children should spend some time each day sharing a book with an adult as well as engaging in speaking/listening activities.
As children move through KS1, homework will become more ‘formal’ with activities sent home to complete, for example, an English/maths worksheet. Children of this age should expect to spend approximately an hour each week on homework activities.
Children of any age can benefit from being read to by an experienced reader. This enables them to access texts which are beyond their own reading abilities but can be used to initiate discussion as well as fire up the imagination.
In KS2, homework may include a piece of English or maths each week, or it may include another curriculum area such as science or topic. Children can also spend time on their multiplication tables each week, using Rock Stars Times Tables. As a guide, children of this age should expect to spend about two hours a week on homework activities.
During holidays, children can continue with reading and times tables but as a rule, holiday homework will not be set. However, children are encouraged to carry out initial research into their new topics if they choose to do so.
If a child is absent due to illness or holidays, the class teachers will not be expected to set homework for these periods of absence. The agreement to do so is at the discretion of the class teacher.
Role of Parents & Carers
We encourage children to make their parents aware of any homework they are given. Teachers will have explained the task and the purpose. Children will be aware of the time scales for completion.
Parents can support by:
- Taking an interest, talking about and supporting their child with homework.
- Showing they value homework.
- Praising children for their efforts in completing homework.
- Providing suitable equipment (school can support if needed).
- Encouraging independent thinking.
- Ensuring children have the time and space to complete their homework.
- Asking for support from the class teacher if further explanation of a task is needed.
Presentation Standards
Children are expected to produce the same high standards in homework as in their work in school. They should not use biro or gel pens to complete tasks. If in doubt about the type of pen to use, complete homework in pencil.
Completion of Homework
Homework will be acknowledged by the class teacher and feedback may be provided. Class teachers are not expected to mark homework with the same rigour as work completed in class.
Children who habitually do not complete homework are disadvantaged in that they are not taking the opportunities to reinforce the learning which has already taken place and/or are not preparing for new work by learning in advance of a new topic. They are also not then developing positive learning habits. Teachers will provide opportunities for children to complete homework in school but this will be at breaktime or lunchtime.
Online Support
There are lots of websites available of which a few are listed below. You might find it useful to include the age of your child eg KS1 or Y4 when carrying out a search for resources.
https://www.activelearnprimary.co.uk/
https://www.lovereading4kids.co.uk/
https://www.primarygames.co.uk/
https://www.sumdog.com/user/sign_in