Homework
Homework, or Home learning, is an integral part of the learning process. In most cases, it will not require students to learn and apply new content, but will instead be focused on the consolidation of learning in lessons. Homework will be posted through the Class Charts platform, visible to both parents/carers and students.
By setting frequent home learning tasks that centre on practising the application of subject knowledge or skills acquired in class, teachers can provide pupils with a greater chance of fluency with the subject knowledge and skills taught (Pickering, 2003). Retrieval practice is an essential tool for improving students’ long-term memory and consolidating schemata (the method by which the brain organizes knowledge based on a past experience).
Teachers will plan home learning to ensure that it is an integral part of their curriculum sequencing. Students will be supported to develop the skills they need to organise their time to complete work set. Part of completing a home learning task includes giving it in on time. If a student is unable to meet a deadline due to illness, extenuating circumstances or out-of-school commitments, it is their responsibility to discuss this with their teacher before the due date. How we will support students to complete homework is set out below.
Parents and carers can help by providing a reasonably peaceful, suitable place in which pupils can do their home learning and making it clear that they value home learning and support the school in ensuring its completion.
Homework Support
The importance of homework
Research from the Education Endowment Foundation tells us that the regular completion of homework at secondary level can increase the progress of a student by 5 months. We aim to follow this research by setting homework on Class Charts that centres on practising the retention and the application of subject knowledge or skills acquired in class.
Given the potential benefits of the regular completion of homework, we want to support students to do this rather than adopt a disproportionately punitive approach. For that reason, we are adopting a slightly different approach to students who regularly do not complete homework. Any homework that is missed will be recorded on Class Charts for parents to see, but we will also be following this staged system:
|
Level |
Action |
|
1: 2/3 homeworks missed in a term |
Tutor speaks with student and contacts home. |
|
2: 4+ homeworks missed in previous term |
Student attends a week of compulsory homework support. The aim of these sessions is to kick-start an improved homework routine. |
|
3: Student did not attend at least 4 of the 5 Level 2 lunchtime sessions / They have 4+ missed homeworks for a second term in the year. |
Parents invited to a meeting by Head of Year (HoY). Student placed on homework report for at least 2 weeks: HoY if generic or Head of Department if more specific. |
Ongoing support for the completion of homework is also available in school at these times:
- Learning Resource Centre Tuesday lunch
- Learning Resource Centre Mon-Weds after school until 4:15pm
- Learning Support Department: available at lunch with TA support
Parents and carers can help by:
- If possible, providing a reasonably peaceful, suitable place in which pupils can do their homework
- Making it clear to students that they value homework and support the school in ensuring its completion
- Encouraging students and praising them when they have completed homework
- Checking that children have completed their homework
- Fostering a suitable homework routine.