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What is homework?

Homework refers to any task which pupils are asked to do, by their teachers, outside lesson time.

The purpose of homework is to

• Develop an effective partnership between the school and parents.

• Consolidate and reinforce skills and understanding

• Exploit resources for learning of all kinds at home.

• Extend school learning e.g. through additional reading

• Encourage pupils, as they get older, to develop the confidence and self-discipline needed to study with increasing independence, and prepare them for the requirements of secondary school.

• Share with parents on a week by week basis, what children have been learning in school

A balance of English, maths and other subjects are set in all key stages. In the Reception year, homework will generally be reading or a maths game. From Year 1, homework will be set once or twice a week, allowing 3 - 4 days for completion. This will be in addition to reading, and spelling in Key Stage 1, and in addition to reading, spelling, research and project work in Key Stage 2.

How much time should be spent on homework?

• Homework is set regularly and the amount increases as the child gets older. The policy has been designed to allow flexibility. It takes into account family situations and other musical, sporting, artistic and club activities in which children are involved.

• As a guide, homework should take the following amounts of time:

• Year R   5-10 minutes a night, when possible

• Year 1   1 hour spread over the week

• Year 2   1 ¼ hour spread over the week

• Year 3   1 ½  hours spread over the week

• Year 4   1 ¾  hours spread over the week

• Year 5   2 hours spread over the week

• Year 6   2 ½  hours spread over the week

• Parents are notified at the beginning of each term which nights homework will be set.

•  Parents are encouraged to spend time reading to their children in addition to the time spent on homework.

What to expect

• Pupils are expected to complete their homework.

• Homework will be planned as part of the overall planning for the class (short term or medium term.)

• Homework will be differentiated, taking into account the range of pupil capabilities, in order to provide an equal and appropriate challenge for individuals.

• Generally, homework will not include finishing off uncompleted tasks.

• Homework will be clearly explained to the children or a written explanation for parents will accompany the homework.

• For children with special learning needs, extra homework may be set more regularly.  This may replace or be in addition to other homework.

• If a child is going to be set extra homework to help with an area of difficulty, parents must be consulted and willing to support this. Parents who request extra homework for their child will be given advice and/or extra homework at the discretion of the teacher.

• In Year 5 and Year 6, projects will be set, to be completed over a term or half term. These will be regularly checked over the time allocated, to ensure children do not leave all the work to the last minute.

• If homework is set in the school holidays, it will in general be finishing off a project or researching information for the next term’s topic.

• Children will get prompt, written or verbal feedback on their work from the teacher, to show what and how to improve.

Parents as partners                

• Parents are partners with school in the child’s learning experiences. Parents are encouraged to let the child’s teacher know if homework has not been completed for any reason, or if homework is too difficult or too easy. The best way to do this is to comment on the homework or in the home-school diary.

• Guidance will be given to parents as to how best to help their children with their homework, in the form of instructions in the home-school diary or instructions on the homework sheet or homework book. Parents are encouraged to take an interest in their children’s homework, to discuss it with them and to give them help when necessary, but not to do it for them.

• Parents will be invited to workshops e.g. on practical maths and literacy activities to give them a clearer understanding of how they can support the work done at school.

• Foundation Stage (Year R) and Key Stage 1 (Years 1-2) children have a home-school diary in which parents and teachers can make comments both about reading homework and other tasks. Parents are encouraged to make comments and will be  replied to in some way.

• Key Stage 2 (Years 3-6) children have a homework folder or homework books and parents are welcome to comment either directly on the child’s work or on a sheet at the front of the homework folder or book. Parents will have the opportunity to inform the teacher of how long the homework has taken to complete. Children will also have the opportunity to comment.

• Children are encouraged to use a homework bag to protect their homework.

• Children without computers at home may have the opportunity to use school computers after school or at lunchtime, at the discretion of the class teacher.

• Homework should be enjoyable!  Sometimes, however, children should be encouraged to reflect on the benefits of hard work. Parents should praise children for good effort. Parents are encouraged to let the teacher know if their child has tried particularly hard on a piece of homework.

• It is not the teacher’s responsibility to provide homework for children who are taken out of school to go on holiday during term time.

• Homework may be included in the child’s Record of Achievement.

Monitoring the effectiveness of the policy

Homework will be monitored by senior staff each term. Parental feedback will be sought at regular intervals.

The homework committee, made up of parents, teachers and governors will meet twice a year to monitor the homework policy. It will check that homework is supporting children’s learning in the best possible way. Teachers will evaluate the homework policy every term.  

Policy produced by Mrs Sayer (deputy head teacher), Mrs Edmonds (head teacher) and a homework committee made up of parents, staff and governors. September 1999. Revised by a committee made up of parents, staff and governors, chaired by parent governor, Sally Knight, March 2002.

This Question and Answer sheet has been prepared by the Homework Committee (made up of parents, governors and staff of the school) to address common questions about homework.

All families should have a copy of the Homework Policy (first issued September 1999 and provided with the welcome pack for new starters since then), however if you cannot find yours, please ask me for a copy.

If you have further questions or wish to discuss any points raised, please contact  Sally Knight

Q1. My child keeps forgetting to bring his homework home.  How do I know which days to expect homework, so that I can remind him?

A1. Class newsletters at the start of each term give details of what days homework can be expected.

Q2. My child keeps forgetting to hand her homework in.  What can I do?

A2. Teachers do their best to chase up homework but it is very time-consuming.  Parents can help by reminding children in the morning to give their homework in.  Children are encouraged to be independent as much as possible.  We accept this does not always work.

Q3. Homework always ends up being a battle. What should I do?

A3.  Choose your time carefully.  Don’t make your child miss his favourite TV programme, or make him do it when he is too tired or hungry.  If it continues to be a battle, have a word with the teachers. They may have ways to motivate your child.  

Q4. There hasn’t been time to do the homework this week. What should we do?

A4. Teachers are very understanding and accept that there are circumstances where it is not possible to fit homework in to a busy week.  Write a note to the teacher explaining, or have a word with her.

Q5. My child’s homework is too long/too short/too hard/too easy.

A5.  If homework is taking too long, don’t pressurise your child to finish it.  It is important for him to have time to play, relax, spend time with friends and family.  Allow him to stop (if he wants to) when the time limit is reached and write a note to the teacher explaining why it is not finished.  If homework seems to be too hard or too easy, please speak to the teacher.  Many children work at a different pace at home and school.  Some find it harder to concentrate at home, some find it easier.  

Q6.  How much help should I give my child with her homework?

A6.  Be prepared to help your child but not to the point of doing it for them.  If your explanation seems to confuse her, stop and talk to the teacher. 

If you check your child’s work and get her to correct her mistakes, please let the teacher know.

In years 5 and 6, for project work, helping your child with research would be very valuable.

Q7. My child has got stuck with the maths homework and won’t let me help because I try to do it ‘the wrong way’.

A7.  Send a note with the homework explaining that your child tried but was unable to finish the work.  The teacher can then go over it again in school.  The way that maths is taught has changed so don’t worry if it is different to the way you learned.  Parents who did maths A-level have been known to get stuck!  However, it is working well for children in school and you will confuse your child if you try to teach them  different methods from the ones they are using in school.  Talk to the teacher if you want to know more.

Q8. We don’t have a computer or reference books at home.  Can my child have access to school computers and books outside of class time so that he can complete his homework?

A8.  Children have the opportunity to use school computers at lunchtimes and may be able to use them after school by prior arrangement.  Please talk to the teacher if you wish to take this up.

Q9. I am unable to support my child with homework - does the school provide homework club facilities?

A9. At present we have no homework club.  It has been considered but as yet we haven’t found adequate supervision. A club could be set up by parents.  If you feel it would be beneficial and you would be interested to help, please let me (Sally Knight) know.

Q10. How often should I write comments about my child’s homework and how/where should I do this?

A10.  Teachers really value feedback from parents - it is very helpful.  If you have time to write comments, please do it as often as possible.  For Key Stage 2 homework you can write on the work (use pencil or attach a note if you don’t want to spoil the look of the page).  For Key Stage 1, write comments in the Home School Diary.  Children can write comments too if they want.

Q11. My daughter tries to cheat when reading, by looking at the pictures. Should I cover them up and make her read all the words?

A11. NO! Don’t worry - this is completely normal.  In all stages of learning to read children are actively encouraged to use pictures as clues to the words.  It is an important learning step.  The whole point of reading is for interest and pleasure, please don’t make your child regard it as a ‘test’ each time.  Emphasise your enjoyment and keep relaxed, ready to help with any words that your child does not know.

Q12. I do not agree with homework - is it compulsory?

A12. It is not compulsory for children to do homework, however, the school is following Government guidelines with our homework policy and we believe that homework is valuable for many reasons eg. for children’s development and independence and to help parents share and support their child’s learning (see Homework Policy).