Homework

Recent information from the DFE and Ofsted has highlighted a growing awareness that homework can have a positive impact upon children’s progress at school.

Homework can have the best impact when:

• children and parents know what they need to do
• tasks consolidate learning that has already taken place
• there is a regular pattern for homework
• homework is valued by all concerned
• there is a consistency of approach throughout the school
• homework is shown to support children’s learning

What is homework?

Homework may include any work that needs to be done at home.  An effective homework policy needs a genuine partnership between home and school.  Through setting homework we offer opportunities for children to consolidate or reinforce their knowledge, skills and understanding, particularly in the core subjects.

It is important that children develop the confidence and self-discipline needed to study independently. The focus of homework changes as children move through the school.

Early Years

In Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) homework with consist of either a practical or written task based on an area of learning.  Activities could include:

• Painting
• Collecting items from the local environment
• Building a model
• Puzzles or games
• Learning number facts
• Phonics

In addition to this, we expect children to read their reading book and practise their word flashcards at least 4 times a week.

Key Stage 1

At Key Stage 1 Homework will include a piece of literacy and numeracy each week such as:

• word games, number games
• learning spellings and word patterns
• learning number facts
• practising reading
• puzzles or games

Key Stage 2

At Key Stage 2 Homework will also consist of a piece of literacy and numeracy each week. These will include longer activities concerned with developing knowledge, skills and understanding; such as:

• spellings and word patterns
• reading
• learning tables and number facts
• maths consolidation
• writing activity or presentation
• practising SATs questions

In addition to the above, each half term, children will be set a ‘Terrific Topic’.  This is a project for you and your child to work on at home over a period of two weeks.  Further information is provided inside your child’s Terrific Topic homework book.  Homework will be purposeful – not just relating to finishing off work – with a clear idea of what the child should achieve in a given time scale.  Homework will support what is happening in the classroom, and may in some instances offer opportunities to extend activities for some children.  It should be varied not just written work.  Most importantly, homework must be manageable for the teacher, the parent and the child.

Class teachers will set and, when necessary, mark homework.  A regular homework timetable will be set.

Parents can support their child by providing a suitable place to do their homework, or/and an opportunity to work with their child together on the task in hand.  They should make it clear that they value the homework that the child is doing and that they want to support their child in school.  Praise is always the best form of encouragement.  We see homework as having an important role to play in our quest to raise standards.