Homework

To support our students' learning, we set homework tasks. Homework is work that is set to be completed outside the timetabled curriculum. It contains an element of independent study in that it is not usually directly supervised by a teacher. We use ‘Show my Homework’ to set, track and monitor homework - students, parents and teachers are all given their own individual log-ins so that homework is easy to access and understand for all.

There is clear evidence that successful students make progress when they embrace homework, and see the clear purpose of the task being set. Through homework, students become flexible independent learners able to cope with the demands of a future working life.

The impact of homework on learning is consistently positive (leading to on average five months' additional progress). However, beneath this average there is a wide variation in potential impact, suggesting that how homework is set is likely to be very important." Education Endowment Fund, August 2017

The suggestion is that it is not hours of homework but the quality and the discipline of completing homework that supports student achievement.

Not all homework is done at home; in fact, for some students who find it hard to work at home, or for some tasks which may require resources (books, software, equipment) more readily available at school, it is necessary or desirable to carry out the task at school.

Homework enhances student learning, improves achievement and develops students’ study skills and as such is an integral part of the curriculum. It requires careful planning and integration into the scheme of work of each curriculum area and may form part of the evidence from which teachers make assessment decisions reporting on student progress.

When we set homework, we aim to:

• Support classroom practice enabling students to extend learning.
• Enable students to practise skills learned in the classroom and so deeply embeds knowledge.
• Promote personal and independent research and learning.
• Allow for differentiation where the more able extend their learning.
• Encourage key behavioural skills such as self-reliance, time management and personal organisation.
• Encourage the development of research and presentation skills.
• Show progress and understanding.
• Allow for the testing of knowledge and the practising of techniques pertinent to criteria for assessment in examinations.
• Promote enjoyment of learning for its own sake.
• Encourage students to take ownership and responsibility for learning.
• Create channels for home school dialogue, parental cooperation and support.

High quality homework and a good work ethos should be praised in class.

Where appropriate, homework should be included in display work. Rewards for achievement and sustained effort may be awarded for good homework. For exceptional pieces of homework, a letter or postcard may be sent home.