The School expects all students to do homework. Indeed, it is part of the Home-School Agreement signed by students and their parents before the start of Year 7.

 

We believe that well designed homework plays a valuable part in a pupil’s education. It provides opportunities to develop study skills and independent learning. It allows pupils to complete work started in class and to practice, consolidate and extend their skills and understanding. It may encourage students to access and exploit resources which are not easily accessible in the course of a normal classroom lesson. It ensures that students are constantly encouraged to review their work and revise.

 

 

§    At the start of each academic year Heads of Year will draw up a homework timetable for their Year Group which will be sent home to all parents. This will indicate which homework will be set for each subject on each day.

 

§    All students receive a School Planner at the start of each academic year in which all homework/coursework should be recorded.

 

§    Planners should be signed by parents at the end of each week to indicate that they are aware of the homework that has been set. We ask parents to look at their sons’ books on a regular basis and make a note in the planner if they are concerned.

 

§     Form Tutors will check and sign planners regularly at least once a fortnight, to ensure that all students are recording homework. They will raise any concerns with the Head of Year.

 

§    Heads of Year will monitor the setting and recording of homework by making periodic checks on a sample of planners and monitoring referrals received for homework.

 

§    Heads of Department will monitor homework across their subject area to ensure that there is consistency in the frequency and nature of the tasks set by staff across their department and in the feedback given to students. They will ensure that homework is built into Schemes of Work and the department’s assessment scheme.

 

§  Subject Teachers will set homework regularly according to the homework timetable for the classes they teach. They will ensure that oral or written feedback is given as appropriate and that students are rewarded for good effort in homework tasks through the referral system and use of Commendation Cards (see Rewards & Sanctions Policy). They are responsible for setting homework that reflects the learning objectives of the Scheme of Work and that is accessible to all students in the class. More able students should be encouraged to complete different or extension tasks.

 

§    Studentsare expected to write down all their homework in planners, which should be taken to all lessons. They are expected to complete homework by the deadline set by the teacher and to seek help or advice if they have problems.

 

 

Homework may consist of:

 

o        one or more exercises from a textbook or worksheet

o        an essay; creative or factual

o        a worksheet with guided questions

o        a research activity, involving use of the internet or reference books

o        an extended project designed to be completed over a number of weeks

o        a draft or final piece of coursework (Key Stage 4 and Year 9 Languages) and practice in speaking, listening (or watching a TV programme)

o        reading

o        learning for a test

o        review of a section of work

o        a practical task (Art, IT, DT)

 

 

Good independent study habits developed at this stage will reap benefits later.

 

-         Every pupil will be set homework lasting 30-40 minutes per subject. Students who fail to complete homework can expect the following sanctions:

 
        - a detention from their subject teacher
        - a phone call or letter home

 

Further failure to complete homework will result in Head of Department detention, Head of Year Detention or Deputy Headteachers detention.

 

 

Homework will continue to be set in Core and Option subjects. Normally students should expect to do 40–60 minutes homework per week in each subject. However, many subjects have a coursework requirement and in this case will set coursework tasks at appropriate stages in the year. These will require extended work and deadlines may be longer.

 

The School will do all it can to support students who, for one reason or another, would have difficulties completing homework at home. A Homework Club has been established by staff in the Learning Support Department. The School Library is also open before and after school and at lunchtimes.

Governors' Annual Review: Autumn Term