KIRKBURTON CE (VA) FIRST SCHOOL

HOMEWORK POLICY

Purpose of homework

The Government believes that there is enormous advantage in children spending regular periods of time, on different learning activities devised by schools as part of a homework programme which supports the work they do in school. The Government’s White Paper “Excellence in Schools” proposed that national guidelines on homework should be published and the publication Homework: Guidelines for Primary and Secondary Schools (1998)was the result. Inspections by the Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted) look at whether homework is used effectively to reinforce and/or extend what is learned in school.

  • Homework should be part of an effective partnership between the school and parents in pursuing the aims of the school.
  • Homework should consolidate and reinforce skills and understanding, especially in literacy and numeracy.
  • Homework should exploit resources for learning, of all kinds, at home.
  • Homework should extend school learning, for example through additional reading.
  • Homework should encourage pupils as they get older to develop the confidence and self discipline needed to study on their own, and preparing them for the requirements of secondary school.

The Governors and staff of Kirkburton CE (VA) FirstSchool recognise the need for children to have the time to follow out of school interests and family activities and the attached guidelines and time allocations allow for these important things to take place. This has been particularly important when deciding on the days when homework will be set and collected.

Special educational needs

Although it is seen as important that children identified as having special educational needs do as much in common with other children as possible there will be occasions when they may benefit from special tasks separate from the homework set for other children in the class. Homework may be set individually, as a whole class or differentiated according to a child’s own interest and/or ability.

Role of parents and carers in supporting pupils

Parents and carers should:

  • provide a reasonably peaceful, suitable place in which a child can do homework.
  • make it clear to their child/ren that they value homework and support the school in explaining how it can help their learning.
  • encourage children and praise them when they have completed homework.
  • ensure that homework is handed in on time

Recommended time allocation for homework

Year GroupMaximum time each week

Reception50 minutes (10 mins daily)

Years 1 and 21 hour 15 minutes (15 mins daily)

Years 3 and 4:1 hour 30 minutes (throughout the week)

Year 5:1 hour 40 minutes (throughout the week)

Homework Guidelines

Reception

  • Reading with an adult (daily if possible)
  • Key word and high frequency word recognition, word walls
  • Maths basic skills activities, maths games
  • Topic activity (science, history, etc..)
  • Education City website

Years 1 and Year 2

  • Reading with an adult (daily if possible)
  • Flash cards and / or spelling list, word walls
  • Maths games activity
  • Topic activity as required

Years 3, 4 and 5

  • Reading with or to an adult (at least 3 times each week)
  • English activity – usually spellings/spelling logs and/or other activity
  • Maths activity – times tables and/or other maths task
  • Topic research activity (sometimes set as a project over several weeks)

General Organisation

All children have a homework book. This is handed out each Friday and should be returned on the following Wednesday morning. The homework is marked by the teacher and written feedback is provided in the homework book for the child and parents. A homework explanation sheet for parents is provided each week.

For Years 3, 4 and 5, topic research work is displayed in the classroom or main corridor once it is completed.

Guidance for parents on how to make best use of reading time is circulated to all new parents as part of the new parents information pack. A home/school reading diary is provided and serves as a record of children’s reading.

Reviewed: June 2015

Next review:June 2017