Homework Policy

HOMEWORK POLICY – INTRODUCTION

A wide range of knowledge and skills are required in today’s world and it is important that all children learn the value of independent learning and self- discipline. Having consulted extensively with our whole school community, we understand that, while a large majority of our families are in favour of homework, there are many who, for a number of reasons, do not feel that this is a priority. Our new homework policy offers families the opportunity to choose whether or not they wish to receive homework and an opt-out option will be available at the beginning of each school year for those who don’t.

Homework should cover a wide range of possibilities, which will include a number of common factors. Homework is learning which: –

  • is relevant to the curricular objectives
  • provides a link between home and school
  • takes place outwith formal class teaching
  • is primarily the responsibility of the learner
  • encourages the pupil to use his/her initiative
  • varies according to the needs of the individual child.

AIMS

Our aims are to: –

  • help reinforce and extend children’s learning
  • provide opportunities to work independently thus developing good study habits and self-discipline
  • encourage ownership and responsibility for learning
  • help train pupils in planning and organising their time
  • offer challenging opportunities for research and discovery
  • promote partnership between school and home
  • provide tasks which are relevant to the child’s age, aptitude and ability.

WHAT HOMEWORK WILL MY CHILD GET?

  •  There is an expectation that all children will practise their set Reading texts regularly.
  • Homework activities will often be linked to the work 25 undertaken in class.
  • Homework activities may include: Literacy, Numeracy or Maths and Spelling. There may be other activities related to another area of the curriculum e.g. Topic research or Art.

WHEN WILL MY CHILD GET HOMEWORK?

Homework will be issued on a Tuesday for return on the following Monday. Reading practice will be set more frequently. During focus weeks such as Health Week when there is no setting, homework may be linked to class topic activities and/or specific themes.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Pupils should: –

  • take homework home and return it on time
  • ask for further help or advice when needed
  • show their parents or carers their homework
  • set aside plenty of time to do their homework carefully
  • ask their parent/carer to check or give help and sign homework
  • complete their homework to the best of their ability
  • look after their homework jotter and reading book etc.

Teachers should: –

  • set homework tasks which are varied, interesting and challenging
  • ensure that clear instructions are given for each task including the deadline for completion
  • set work which is appropriate to children’s ability and classwork
  • provide suitable feedback on children’s efforts.

Parents/Carers should: –

  • check their child’s homework
  • encourage their child to complete homework tasks
  • ensure a reasonable standard of presentation of work
  • sign completed tasks
  • comment on the pupils homework if appropriate
  • contact the school if there are any concerns about their child’s progress

HOW LONG SHOULD BE SPENT ON HOMEWORK?

  •  Early stages (P1-3) – no more than one hour per week or 10-15 minutes per night, including reading.
  • Upper stages (P4-7) – no more than two hours per week or 15-30 minutes per night, including reading.

There may be times when it is appropriate to issue homework over a longer period e.g. individual research/project tasks may take a full term to complete.

WHEN SHOULD I DO MY HOMEWORK?

  • Take responsibility and plan ahead, particularly if you have other commitments during the week which will take up a lot of your time. Make sure you have identified a suitable time to do your homework.
  • Try to organise a weekly routine for doing homework.
  • Don’t leave it until the last minute!

We understand that some families who are keen for homework to be provided are not always able to offer the support required to allow children to complete it. We feel that there is an additional responsibility for us to provide opportunities for this support to be available within school. As such, we will offer weekly homework clubs during school time where pupils at all stages will be supported to complete their set homework tasks.

WHAT HAPPENS IF HOMEWORK IS NOT COMPLETED?

  • Teachers will discuss with the child why an assignment was not completed.
  • Support and help will be given where needed.

If homework is not handed in on three separate occasions, and the family have indicated that they do wish to receive homework, a member of the Management Team will contact parents to discuss how best to support the child.

MONITORING AND SUPPORT

Homework will be checked by the class teacher.

When a positive approach is adopted, pupils will see homework as having a value and will be motivated to complete their tasks.

The Senior Leadership Team will monitor homework throughout the school as part of the school’s programme of evaluating the effectiveness of learning and teaching.

Homework can only be successful if it is regarded as a partnership between home and school. This policy seeks the co-operation of all stakeholders – pupil, parent and teacher – in accepting and carrying out these requirements.

This policy has been compiled in consultation with Pupils, Parents, Staff and the Burgh School Council.

Everything is possible