Homework Policy Statement

To be effective, homework needs to be part of a wider partnership between parents and schools, developing co-operation between the school and parents in pursuing the aims of the school.

Aims: The purposes of homework are to:

1. Consolidate and reinforce skills and understanding particularly in Literacy and Numeracy.

2. Utilise resources for learning, of all kinds, at home.

3. Extend school learning.

4. Encourage pupils to develop the confidence and self-discipline needed to study on their own and prepare them, gradually, for the requirements of secondary school.

Guidelines:

• Homework refers to any work or activities which pupils are asked to do outside lesson time, either on their own or with parents.

• Homework provides an opportunity to develop the skill of independent learning.

• Homework allows the development of a partnership with parents, involving them actively in children’s learning.

• The main focus of homework will be on Literacy and Numeracy. Science and other subjects will be added to the programme as children move up the school, without losing this focus on Literacy and Numeracy.

The DfES suggested time allocation for homework is:

Years 3 and 4 – Approximately 1hr 30min. per week.

Years 5 and 6 – Approximately 2 hr – 2hr 30min. per week.

Homework will usually include:

Years 3 and 4:

Frequent reading practice, learning spellings and multiplication tables, varied tasks in Literacy, Numeracy and occasional tasks in other subjects. Children in years 3 and 4 have a reading record which is a form of contact between home and school. Children will gain maximum benefit from their reading if they read aloud to an adult at home every day.

Years 5 and 6:

Regular reading practice/tasks, learning spellings and multiplication tables, written tasks and maths tasks. Other homework might include researching information, revision of specific topics (year 6) etc.

Special Educational Needs

Homework tasks will:

• Have a clear focus and time – guideline.

• Give plenty of opportunities for pupils to succeed.

• Be varied and not purely written tasks.

The role of parents in supporting pupils:

Parents should:

• Listen to their child read.

• Provide a reasonably peaceful, suitable place in which children can do their homework, alone or together with an adult.

• Make it clear to children that they value homework.

• Encourage children and praise them when they have completed homework.

• Ensure that homework is returned by set deadlines.

• Inform the school if their child appears to be spending a long time on the set homework.

Homework Club

There is a homework club three lunchtimes each week where children can get support from adults in school to complete homework tasks.

Equal Opportunities

All pupils will have equal access to homework irrespective of their race, gender, age or ability.

This policy will be reviewed and evaluated annually.

Reviewed January 2006.