HOMEWORK POLICY (Draft)

We value the partnership with parents that this school already enjoys. Although we have always set homework for pupils, we appreciate the benefits that a written, realistic and well understood policy offers to parents, pupils and school. This policy has been revised following consultation with parents and pupils and DCSF guidelines issued to all schools.

What is homework?
We believe that homework includes a range of tasks and activities, including:
• reading alone or with a parent –we hope parents will regularly comment in the home-school reading diary
• carrying out an activity set by the class teacher or completing work started at school
• reinforcing and consolidating skills learned in class, including number facts, times tables and spellings
• undertaking individual research for a project at the local library, in books or by using a computer
• regular consolidation and extension tasks for older pupils as they progress through KS2

Why do homework?

Regular, well planned homework can:
• help children develop good work habits and self discipline
• develop a positive approach towards books and reading
• provide opportunities for individualised work
• help parents to gain insight into their child’s schoolwork
• broaden the scope of access to resources not found in school eg, public libraries, museums, etc
• assist preparation for future class work.

At the same time, we strongly believe that our pupils work hard during the school day, and need to be given time after school to relax, watch TV, play with friends, be able to pursue other interests, join clubs, etc. We would not wish out-of-school activities to be curtailed because of homework demands. Therefore, we generally set a time limit on homework activities. If parents find their child is regularly spending much longer than specified on homework please speak to the class teacher.

At the beginning of each double term (i.e. Terms 1, 3 and 5) parents receive a letter outlining the work that will be covered in their child’s class. This letter also outlines a regular schedule for each class. For younger children homework mainly consists of reading every evening. The extent and frequency of other homework gradually increases as pupils progress through the school with, for example, the addition of spellings, writing spellings in context, times tables and recorder practice. By the time pupils reach Years 5 and 6 they also receive regular maths and science homework and are provided with a homework timetable. Additional information relating to specific homework is normally attached to the homework.

When teachers set homework they will try to ensure that:

• the task is made clear to children and, whenever possible, it is matched to their abilities
• work is marked as promptly as possible
• regular completion of homework of a high standard is recognised and celebrated within the class.

Practical advice for parents:•
Before starting please check that your child is clear about the task and has the relevant materials, space and
resources
• agree a time frame and a place to work and try to work within it.
• sometimes gentle persuasion will be needed to get the session underway.
• do encourage good standards of presentation and ensure the work is given in on time.
• it is tempting to do the work for your child if he / she is finding it difficult–please resist the temptation.
• if your child regularly runs out of time or finds the work too hard, please let your class teacher know.
• if your child regularly finishes in less time again you may need to let the class teacher know but do
• encourage your child to check their own work to ascertain if they are completing the task properly.
• please stop if your child becomes distressed but, again, do let the class teacher know.
• please don’t let homework get in the way of clubs, activities and your child’s other interests.