Lower Park School - Guidelines for Homework Policy
This policy is intended as a framework for staff, parents and governors of the school. In outlining a policy for the setting of homework, the aim is to work towards uniformity and progression from Reception to Year 6.
The 1996/97 OFSTED Annual Report noted that "homework is important at all stages in a child's education" and that "when used properly, it extends the challenge open to the pupil and ensures that teaching time is used to maximum effect".
We believe that there is enormous advantage in children spending regular periods of time, initially quite short, on different learning activities devised by the school as part of a homework programme which supports the work done in class. These do not need to be very formal or done without help; for infants, homework should consist largely of reading and sharing books with parents. Homework need not and should not get in the way of other activities which they may do after school - such as sport, music and clubs of all kinds.
We therefore define homework as any work or activities which pupils are asked to do outside lesson time, either on their own or with parents or carers.
THE PURPOSE OF HOMEWORK
Through this policy we aim to:
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Ensure consistency of approach throughout the school
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Ensure progression towards independence and individual responsibility.
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Ensure the needs of the individual pupil are taken into account.
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Ensure parents/guardians have a clear understanding about expectations from themselves and the pupil.
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Continue the quality of learning experience offered to pupils.
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Extend and support the learning experience via reinforcement and revision.
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Provide opportunities for parents, pupils and school to work in partnership.
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Provide opportunities for parents and pupils to work together to enjoy learning experiences.
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Consolidate and reinforce skills and understanding particularly in Literacy and Numeracy.
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Encourage pupils as they get older to develop the confidence and self discipline needed to study on their own and prepare them for the requirements of secondary transfer.
The purposes of homework change as children get older. At Key Stage 1 short activities of different kinds - simple games, learning spellings and number facts, and, of course, reading together - provide a very important opportunity for young children to talk about what they are learning to an interested adult, and to practise key skills in a supportive environment.
As children get older, homework provides an opportunity for children to develop the skills of independent learning, and this should increasingly become its main purpose. It is important that children should gradually get into the habit of regularly devoting periods of time, which may not be long, to study on their own. Homework does not just mean formal exercises carried out by children without help from adults. Particularly in the case of younger children, it is the involvement of parents and carers in joint activities, which can be very brief, which is most valuable in promoting children's learning.
The type and amount of homework which is appropriate for pupils of different ages
Recommended time allocation for homework:
Yrs 1 & 2
1hr week (reading, spelling
other literacy & numeracy work)
Yrs 3 & 4
1 ½ hrs week (literacy
& numeracy as Yrs 1 & 2 with some
assignments in other subjects)
Yrs 5 & 6
30 mins a day (regular weekly
schedule with continued emphasis
on literacy & numeracy but also ranging widely
over the curriculum)
On days when the homework activity is something
other than reading, children should be encouraged, in addition, to read
- on their own or with others - for at least 20 minutes (less for infants).
Numeracy
Booklets containing a variety of maths activities for all age groups
are periodically sent home from school. The activities contained in
these booklets are "tried and tested" and can be used at home
to extend your child's understanding of number.
More details for each year group can be found later in the policy.
The role of parents and carers in supporting pupils
Parents / carers play a vital part in supporting pupils working at home. It is important that they:
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· Provide a reasonable, peaceful suitable place in which pupils can do their homework - alone or, more often for younger children, together with an adult.
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Make it clear to pupils that they value homework, and support the school in explaining how it can help their learning.
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Encourage pupils and praise them when they have completed homework.
A regular dialogue between home and school can be carried out through the use of the children's homework diaries or reading record books, in which both teachers and parents can record comments.
Reception
In the Reception year homework consists mainly of reading. Shared reading plays a very important part during the child's first weeks in school. The children bring home a variety of story books and picture books to be read with or by the parents. "My Own Book", the child's first home made reader, is also brought home to read to parents. Gradually, as the child begins on the school scheme, reading books are brought home most nights. At this stage in a child's career it is important that parents spend at least 10 minutes each evening sharing reading and encouraging their child to enjoy their early experience of books.
Year 1
At the beginning of Year 1 reading books are brought home most nights. It is ideal if parent and child can find a suitable time when both gain enjoyment from reading together. In Term 2, spelling lists are sent home to be learnt. These spellings will include words based on a phonic pattern as well as words highlighted in the National Literacy Strategy High Frequency Word List. Occasionally a child may be given simple research to carry out at home. Each Friday children will be given a short numeracy/maths task which will usually relate to work that is being carried out in the classroom. Depending on the reading book they are reading, your child may also occasionally be asked to carry out a short written task linked to their reading book. This work will replace their reading time.
Year 2
Reading still plays a very important part in the homework programme, generally books being brought home nightly. Parents still play a vitally important part, encouraging children in their efforts and promoting and sharing a love of books. As in Year 1, the children will be expected to learn spellings (Monday to Friday) most weeks. Each Friday children will be given a maths task. This may be linked to work being carried out in the classroom or reinforcing number facts or tables. Approximately once a week your child may also be required to carry out a writing task which will be linked to their reading book
Year 3
Children are still encouraged to bring home their reading books nightly when they become free readers. It is not necessary for parents to hear every page of a book. An interest in the child's reading is still very necessary and an adult should listen to occasional pages being read and question the child on others, in order to assess understanding of the text.
Spellings linked to phonics and topic work are given each week. The children are expected to learn these words over several days.
Maths activities, often tables, will be part of a homework programme in Year 3.
The children will also be expected to carry out simple research or other work which is topic related.
All homework will be issued on a weekly basis in the homework diary and generally completed in the homework book.
Year 4
Children are still expected to read every night as in Year 3. Parents can ensure their child is given access to a wide variety of reading material and record it in their reading record book. At this age we would expect children to read a wide range of books from a variety of sources including those chosen at school.
Spellings linked to phonics and sometimes to topic work are given each week. The children are expected to learn these words over several days.
Maths activities, often tables, will be part of a homework programme in Year 4.
The children will also be expected to carry out simple research or other work which is topic related.
All homework will be issued on a weekly basis in the homework diary and generally completed in the homework book.
Year 5 and 6
Reading: At this stage most children will not need to be heard read as regularly as before but we still expect your child to spend at least 20 minutes each evening reading a wide variety of material from which they can gain enjoyment. It is imperative that school and home continue to monitor progress so that children experience a full range of written material.
The children will be given spellings to learn most weeks. In addition to these spellings they will be expected to spend two intensive 30 minute study sessions per week on a maths and an English activity. There will also be a science based homework and sometimes a mental maths, times tables or a maths game activity.
Important point
We do not expect the children to work longer than the approved time limit. We want the children to enjoy their homework (if at all possible!).
Unfinished work
In addition to the above, certain children may be expected , within reason, to complete particular pieces of work begun in class. There may be several reasons for the child having to bring work home.
Respecting homework
All homework should be carefully respected and returned to school in good condition. Children should take responsibility for the care of their books.
Reading books, reading record books and homework diaries should be brought to school daily.
Homework Books
The provision, style and use of homework books will be at the discretion of each individual teacher and will vary throughout the school. Your child will be informed at the beginning of each year of the system to be implemented.
Expectations of Parents
The school views the pupils learning as a partnership - the child, the parent and the school. It is important that children are offered guidance and support when completing homework and have a good working environment. Homework is a child's work carried out at home.
Footnote
We fully appreciate that many children and their families occasionally have some very busy evenings and it may be impossible to complete the homework set. We expect a note to be sent to school indicating the reason for failure to complete the homework. The homework must then be completed at a later date. Pupils are, however, usually given ample time to complete homework. Parents are asked to gently encourage their children to manage the balance between homework and other activities.
