Homework Policy
Homework is defined as any activity that pupils undertake outside of school lesson time, either on their own or with the support of family members. At our schools, we firmly believe that that parental involvement will develop the partnership between home and school and enhance the learning of the children.
The purpose of homework:
- To inform parents about work going on in class and provide opportunities for parents to share their children’s learning;
- To consolidate and reinforce skills and understanding;
- To further stimulate enthusiasm for learning;
- To foster a partnership between home and school;
- To rehearse key skills, such as times tables, spelling, reading, handwriting and other key facts;
- To help foster good habits of organisation and self-discipline in preparation for Secondary School.
Homework at our schools:
We recommend that children of all ages read at home each day. For older children this may be independent reading for some of the time, but we would also recommend reading aloud to an adult at least 3 times per week.
The following table outlines the progression in expectation for homework from Reception to Year 6. We believe that the time children spend on homework should be capped and we fully acknowledge and support the need for family/home time. We believe that homework should be enjoyable and manageable for all concerned.
Homework in Foundation Stage and Key Stage One is recommended but not compulsory.
| Year Group | Activity | Recommended Timing |
|---|---|---|
| Nursery | Sharing books from the Nursery library Sharing maths games from maths library | Open-ended Open-ended |
| Reception | Sound boxes and/or reading (from Term 2) Sharing books from the Reception library | Daily – 5mins (recorded in Reading Record) Open-ended |
| Year 1 | Reading Spellings (From January) | Daily – 10mins (recorded in Reading Record) Weekly – open-ended |
| Year 2 | Reading Spellings Maths task (Term 3 onwards) | Daily – 10-15mins (recorded in Reading Record) Weekly - open-ended Weekly – 15mins |
| Year 3 | Reading Spellings Maths task Times Table Task | Daily – 15mins (recorded in Reading Record) Weekly – open-ended Weekly – 15mins Weekly – 15mins |
| Year 4 | Reading Spellings Times Table Task Maths task | Daily – 15mins (recorded in Reading Record) Weekly – open-ended Weekly – 15mins Weekly – 15mins |
| Year 5 | Reading Spellings Maths task Times Table Task Extended Topic Work | Daily - 20mins (recorded in Reading Record) Weekly - open-ended Weekly – 30mins Weekly – 15mins Once per year |
| Year 6 | Reading Read Theory Spellings Maths task Times Table Task Extended Topic Work | Daily – 20-30mins (recorded in Reading Record) Weekly – 20mins Weekly - open-ended Weekly – 30mins Weekly – 20mins Once per year |
Please note that if teachers feel your child needs additional help with key skills such as handwriting or number facts etc. they may send additional help sheets for you to do with your children.
Holidays:
Homework will not be set during school holidays but we will send out details of the following term’s topic for your information. Teachers may send ‘fun’ activity grids home as ‘boredom busters’ in longer holidays.
Routines and Expectations:
All year groups will provide knowledge organisers, outlining the topics covered across all subjects on a termly basis. You are encouraged to use these as you wish, to do any further extra-curricular activities and homework with your children.
In terms prior to Year 6 SATs, children will be given revision guides and additional revision tasks.
All classes will have a regular routine for handing out and receiving homework. This will be communicated to the children and to parents at the beginning of the year.
The work will have always been explained and discussed in class before coming home. It is our intention, and good practice, not to send work home that the child cannot already do and parents are not expected to teach a new skill.
Homework will not be extensively marked but feedback will be provided in sessions where topic homework has been set so that efforts can be celebrated.
What to do if you have concerns:
If you have any concerns with homework and it becomes a problem at home please speak with your child’s class teacher in the first instance.
If you still have concerns, please arrange to speak to the Headteacher.
Reviewed by: Laura Craig
Date: March 2021