Homework

Homework is an important part of a child’s education and can add much to a child’s development. One of the aims of our school is for children to develop as independent learners. We believe that homework is one of the main ways in which children can acquire the skill of independent learning. Homework plays a positive role in raising a child’s level of attainment. We also acknowledge the important role of play and free time in a child’s growth and development. While homework is important, it should not prevent children from taking part in the wide range of out-of-school clubs and organisations that play an important part in the lives of many children. The aims and objectives of homework are:

The aims and objectives of homework are:

• to enable pupils to make maximum progress in their academic and social development.
• to help pupils develop the skills of an independent learner
• to promote a partnership between home and school in supporting each child’slearning
• to consolidate and reinforce learning done in school and to allow children to practise skills taught in lessons
• to help children develop good work habits for the future.

Types of Homework In Reception, homework consists of practising phonics and reading, dependent on ability,

In Reception, homework consists of practising phonics and reading, dependent on ability, followed by the introduction of spellings where appropriate. In the Lower School we encourage the children to read by giving them books to take home to read with their parents. We also ask Lower School children to learn spellings or mathematical tables as part of their homework. They will generally be asked to complete short tasks at the weekend to support what they have learnt during the week in Mathematics and English. Sometimes we ask children to talk about a topic at home prior to studying it in school.
For example in the history topic on toys, we ask children to find out what toys were popular when their grandparents were young and, if possible, to bring examples into school to show the other children. Sometimes we ask children to find and collect things that we then use in science lessons and occasionally we ask children to take homework that they have
started in school when we believe that they would benefit from spending further time on it. When we ask children to study a topic or to research a particular subject, we encourage them to use the school and local library and the Internet and CD-ROMS.

Typical Weekly pattern for Homework:

Monday – Spellings and phonics
Tuesday – English including grammar and sentence structure
Wednesday – Mathematics topics and application
Thursday – Topics
Friday – English and Mathematics, home learning task.

Homework and Reading

As well as homework, time should be spent reading a variety of books both silently and
aloud every evening and weekend. We give children a reading record where the teacher,
pupil or classroom assistant notes progress, book titles and any homework instructions.
Parents should initial this daily, commenting appropriately if required.

Other recommended activities to do at home:-
• Research any topics current being studied in school
• Practise presentation of all homework
• Practise handwriting with all homework

The Role of Parents regarding homework
Parents have a vital role to play in their child’s education and homework is an important
part of this process. We ask parents to encourage their child to complete the homework
tasks that are set. We invite them to help their children as they feel necessary and provide
them with the sort of environment that allows children to do their best. Parents can support
their child by providing a good working space at home, by enabling their child to visit the
library regularly and by discussing the work that their child is doing. We ask parents to
check the reading record/ homework record daily and to initial it as requested. If parents
have any problems or questions about homework, they should contact the child’s class
teacher.