Homework
The Purpose of Homework
All educational research indicates that well organised homework can significantly raise the standard of student achievement. Homework should:
-
Encourage students to develop independent study skills
-
Promote self-discipline and positive attitudes towards life-long learning
-
Consolidate and reinforce the skills and understanding developed at school
-
Extend school learning
-
Involve the parents and carers in the management of student learning and keep them informed about the work students are doing
-
Manage particular demands on individual Years, e.g. GCSE coursework
The Role of the Students
Student Planner inserts contain the following information:
You must:
-
Ask your teacher for help if you are not clear about the homework task before you leave the lesson
-
All homework should be recorded on Arbor but please still include a brief note in your planner as to what the homework is
-
Note when the homework is due in
-
Do each subject's homework on the correct night. Always hand in your homework on time.
Helpful Hints
-
Take time and care with your homework and avoid distractions
-
Get into a routine of doing homework at the same time each day and as soon as possible after it has been set so that the learning in the lesson and homework instructions are still fresh in your mind
-
Tell your Form Tutor if you are having difficulties with managing your homework.
The Role of Parents and Carers
Notes to Parents and Carers (in the Planner)
It is important that children get into the habit of completing homework thoroughly from Year 7. As students move up through the school the homework demands will increase. It is helpful if you can take an active interest in your child's homework. It is important that they have a quiet area in which to work. Please check each evening that homework has been completed and sign the planner at the end of each week.
Please contact your child's subject teacher if you are concerned over any aspect of homework in a particular subject, or your child's Head of House if there are more general homework concerns.
Time allocated per homework slot
Key Stage 3
(Year 7 – 20 minutes Year 8 – 30 minutes, Year 9 – 30 minutes per subject per slot)
Humanities subjects - Equivalent 1 homework slots per week
RE - Equivalent 1 homework slot per week
Maths - Equivalent of 3 homework slots per week.
English - Equivalent of 2 homework slots per week.
Science - Equivalent of 2 homework slots per week.
Languages - Equivalent of 2 homework slots per week.
Technology: Students in Y7 will also have a maximum of 1 hour of Technology homework per week. Students in Y8 a maximum of 1.5 hours and Year 9 up to 2 hours per week. The frequency and quantity of homework will depend on the nature of the class work undertaken.
Computer Science will set homework to provide students with the opportunity to deepen their understanding and practice skills independently. Students can expect to receive one homework assignment roughly every half term.
Art: One or two homeworks will be set for Art each half term. They are likely to be research tasks aimed at broadening your knowledge of the theme you are working on or developing ideas to help your own, independent work develop. In year 7 you should usually be prepared to spend between 20 and 60 minutes, Year 8 & 9 should usually be prepared to spend between 40 and 60 minutes on an Art homework.
Drama will set one homework each half term. This may involve a research task to widen your knowledge of a particular topic, consolidation of knowledge quiz, written evaluations of practical work or planning and script writing in preparation for your next lesson. At certain points in the year line learning and extra rehearsals may be required in addition to these key homeworks.
Music will set one homework each half term. This may involve a research task to widen your knowledge of a particular topic, a listening task, or consolidation of knowledge quiz. The type of task will largely depend upon the topic being studied in class. You should spend between 30 to 40 minutes on this. Musicians are expected to practise any instruments you play regularly, and to attend school instrumental groups and choirs set up for your instrument or voice.
Key Stage 4
(Year 10 – 40 minutes, Year 11 – 50 to 60 minutes per subject per homework slot)
All option subjects set the equivalent of 2 homework slots per week.
RE set the equivalent of 2 homework slots per week.
English set the equivalent of 2 homework slots per week.
Maths homework is the equivalent to three homeworks, and can be completed in one or multiple sessions. The days when students would have Maths lessons have been indicated with *.
Science set the equivalent of 3 homework slots per week (One per Science; Biology, Chemistry, Physics).