Homework
Homework provides opportunities for pupils to practise their learning away from the direct support of teachers. When part of a whole school culture, homework can be essential to the learning process, with the potential to build schemas and strengthen connections within long-term memory. Research shows a strong connection between regular completion of homework and higher accomplishments in subjects such as English, Maths and Science. Homework can have a positive impact on average (+ 5 months), with pupils in secondary schools.
Overarching principles
Homework should link to classroom learning and follow the following principles:
- Embed - Consolidation of classroom learning into the long-term memory
- Practise - Refining knowledge or procedures learnt in the classroom to build learning habits
- Apply - Use learning from the classroom to complete a specific task
- Extend - Move learning beyond what has been achieved by adding breadth to existing knowledge
| Homework Should | Homework Should Not |
| Revisit and learn substantive knowledge | Require students to develop their own substantive knowledge base as they may get it wrong |
| Use information and materials that are readily available or provided | Result in students spending time on a non-essential task rather than spending time on the meaningful aspect of the task – i.e. designing posters, open ended research |
| Reinforce and allow practice of previously taught skills in the classroom | Require finishing off a classwork task |
| Be structured so that it is challenging without being overwhelming | Be set for the next day |
| Allow students to work independently and self-regulate | Be too challenging or require extensive parental support |
| Be acknowledged by the teacher in the lesson. To maximise impact, it also important that students are provided with high quality feedback on their work | Go unrecognised |
Online Platforms
Homework can be set on online platforms if the criteria fits with the guiding principles. There are a number of advantages that include; pre-existing courses and materials, instant feedback to students and records created so tracking is easier. The platform used is Sparx for English, Maths and Science. In Key Stage 4 there are also more online platforms available to students, including Seneca and Memrise.
How Much Homework
Key Stage 3
| Year Group | Subjects | Frequency |
| Year 7 | Core Subjects (English, Maths, Science) | 30 minutes per core subject per week |
| Year 8 | Core Subjects (English, Maths, Science) | 40 minutes per core subject per week |
| Year 9 | Core Subjects (English, Maths, Science) | 60 minutes per core subject per week |
Key Stage 4
| Year Group | Subjects | Frequency |
| Year 10 | Core Subjects (English, Maths, Science) | 60 minutes per core subject per week |
| Year 10 | All other Subjects | 30-40 minutes per subject per week |
| Year 11 | Core Subjects (English, Maths, Science) | 90 minutes per core subject per week |
| Year 11 | All other Subjects | 30-40 minutes per subject per week |
Expectations
Students
- Check Arbor for instructions and resources
- Attend homework club to access support / resources if necessary
- Speak to subject teacher if additional support is required in advance of deadline
- Try their best and complete work set
- Meet deadlines set for all homework
Teachers
- Plan meaningful homework which meets the guiding principles above
- Set homework in line with the homework timetable
- Set homework at the start of the lesson to allow sufficient time to record details and answer questions
- Use the student planner to record and set deadlines for the next week
- Use Arbor to communicate instructions, deadlines and resources
- Ensure students know where to access additional support from you if required
- Provide feedback which improve outcomes without increasing workload – marked in class; tested in class; quizzes; discussion, whole class feedback
- Acknowledge complete homework and reward where appropriate
