OUR POLICY:
One of the aims of our teaching is for children to develop as independent learners, and we believe that doing homework is one of the main ways in which children can acquire the skill of independent learning. OFSTED expect that teachers set challenging homework, in line with the school’s policy and as appropriate for the age and stage of pupils, that consolidates learning, deepens understanding and prepares pupils very well for work to come.
Key stage 1
Each week children are expected to:
Read daily to an adult wherever possible and record book and pages in record book
Learn phonic sounds and/or key words as set
Complete a maths activity – number bonds, practice a skill eg partitioning numbers– given weekly
Project homework will be set as an optional task, one each term to link to the topic
Key stage 2
Each week children are expected to:
Read daily wherever possible and record book and pages in record book
Learn new vocabulary and/or key words as set
Complete a maths activity – Times Tables Rock Stars, hundred square, practice a skill eg column addition – given weekly
Project homework will be set as an optional task, one each term to link to the topic
These tasks will become increasingly difficult as they progress through school.
The Government believes that a sensible programme of homework activities for children in Key Stage 1 should be designed to take about 1 hour a week. At Key Stage 2 the demands should gradually increase so that by years 5 and 6 children are spending about 30 minutes per day (two and a half hours a week) on homework.
It is important to remember that five minutes of purposeful activity is more beneficial than an hour spent half-heartedly, over-tired or resentful. They will have the flexibility to choose which night they do each piece of homework to fit in around their own and family commitments.
Role of parents and carers in supporting pupils with homework:
- Provide a reasonably peaceful, suitable place in which pupils can do their work.
- Help the children to structure their approach to their homework.
- Younger children will need a great deal of support and this should steadily reduce so that by Year 5 the children work largely alone with parents advising on sensible approaches and time limits.