Homework

Homework

Homework is work that is completed outside of the timetabled curriculum with the expectation of independent study. When done well, homework enhances students’ learning of key constructs, improves achievement and develops students’ study skills and as such is an integral part of the school curriculum. Homework requires careful planning and integration into the scheme of work of each curriculum area to support a mastery approach to learning.

The quality of homework and its relevance to main class teaching is more important than the amount set.

Aims

Homework enables students to:

  • consolidate and extend work covered in class or prepare for new learning activities.
  • show progress and understanding of key constructs.
  • access resources not available in the classroom.
  • develop research skills.
  • have an opportunity for independent and creative work.
  • enhance their study skills e.g. planning, time management and self-discipline.
  • take ownership and responsibility for their learning.
  • engage parental co-operation and support.
  • create channels for home school dialogue.

Expectations

The following expectations exist for teachers, all students, and parents:

  • Each teacher will:
    • set meaningful homework on Go4Schools linked to key constructs and knowledge in knowledge organisers so that students understand the purpose of the assignment and why it is important.
    • set short activities that require some hard thinking
    • Where possible provide students with choice to create ownership
    • consider the capabilities of the class;  homework that students can’t do without help is not good homework so tasks need differentiating
    • assign work that will engage and interest students.
  • Each student will:
    • take their books home so they can complete homework.
    • complete homework on time and to the best of their ability
    • develop good study habits which include independent practice.
  • Each parent will:
    • monitor homework set on Go4Schools and encourage their child to complete homework and refer to the knowledge organiser.

Homework Tasks:

Homework may take a variety of forms, including:

  • Extended written tasks;
  • Note-taking;
  • Reading;
  • Learning and recording knowledge – for example: facts, vocabulary, spellings;
  • Completing classwork;
  • Research;
  • Drawing or design work;
  • Preparing for discussions or presentations;
  • On-line learning;
  • Answering questions;
  • Completing worksheets;
  • Revising for assessments and exams.
  • Past paper exam questions

Expectations: How much and by whom?

Each curriculum area listed below sets the following amount each week according to the homework timetable:

Time – Years 7 & 8Time – Year 9Time – Years 10 & 11
1 hour per evening 1.5 hours per eveningTwo hours per evening
(3 X 20 minutes)(2 X 45 minutes)2 X 1 hour)

Some guidance for teachers:

  • Homework should be set on the designated day as per the Homework Timetable.
  • Details of the set homework may additionally be displayed in the classroom, ie on a ppt.
  • Staff should briefly outline the homework task orally to classes at some point during the lesson.
  • Differentiated resources/materials can be included in the whole class homework and should be clearly identified as such.
  • Staff must ensure that any resources are uploaded in a file format that students can open. PDF is always the best option for this as it gives most flexibility for access on mobile devices.
  • When students are required to print a resource then the students must be given the option of downloading and printing that document resource at school, or being given a printed copy by the teacher. Some students will not have access to printing at home and in such cases, students must be given these documents in class.
  • If extended projects are set as homework tasks, they need to be reinforced, monitored and paced according to the homework timetable.
  • Students must be given at least 48 hours to complete homework. Do not set homework for submission the next day.

Go4Schools for setting homework:

  • Homework must be set through Go4Schools.
  • Instructions for homework should be clear and brief. Any extended outline of the homework task is best added as a resource (e.g. PDF, PPT etc.) on Go4Schools  Google Classrooms.
  • Any technical issues with Go4Schools Google Classrooms should be directed to the admin team.
  • If the homework is on ‘Google Classrooms’ then a link to the work can be added in Go4Schools. All homework must go through Go4Schools so parents staff and students can all monitor.
  • Every piece of homework which is set must be acknowledged in Go4Schools as either ‘completed’ ‘pending’ or ‘not done’. Marking homework as ‘complete’ will result in positive ‘praise points’ for the student.  Feedback on homework may not always be provided.
  • When feedback is given it may be through Go4Schools, in the student’s book or by person in the lesson.

Non Completion of homework

Students are expected to complete homework. It is an important aspect of their learning and non-completion is likely to result in students falling behind. It is therefore an important part of our role as a school to follow up non-completion with a detention where that work can be completed.

The class teacher will indicate on Go4Schools if homework is not complete.  When the teacher feels it is appropriate they will issue the student with a 30 minute subject detention. Parents and students will both receive a notification on Go4Schools. During this detention students will be expected to complete any outstanding homework. If the student does not attend they will be placed in to a one hour Whole school detention. If this is missed students will be placed in a one hour detention with SLT on Friday after school.

Homework Timetables (time allocation, not actual days)

Y7 & 8 (3 X 20 mins)

MonTueWedThuFri
EngMathSciGeogHist
ArtFoodDTMusicRPS
DramaCompMFLReadingReading

Y9 (2 X 45 mins)

MonTueWedThuFri
EngMathSciHumsRPS
MFLOpt AOpt BOpt CReading

Y10 & 11 (2 X 1 hour)

MonTueWedThuFri
EngMathSciOpt AOpt B
Opt COpt DEngMathsSci

Mechanics of allocating homework

Subject teacher

  1. Checks homework in subject mark book and records as ‘complete’ or ‘pending’ or ‘not complete’. Subject teachers are also monitoring passive learning.
  2. At whatever point the subject teacher feels is  appropriate they allocate a subject detention for either passive and/or lack of home work by going in to ‘Group behavior’ and ticking subject DT. (They will need to enter text in to school notes – can be just a full stop)

Assistant Heads of Year

Every day go in to the ‘Detention pool’ and allocate students in to next subject detention. This generates a notification home.

Subject Detention staff

Find their subject detention in ‘Behavior’ and tick that student has attended and completed. Support students completing homework

Assistant Heads of Year

Every day, go in to ‘Detention pool’ and look at students flagged as ‘red’ who missed Subject DT. Click on name of student – click on red detention clock to see date of missed detention – click on attendance to see if student was present in school on that day. If they were present – allocate to Whole school ASD. If not present allocate back in to next subject DT.

Students missing Whole school DT go in to SLT Detention on Friday – Phone calls home from HOY / SLT

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