Our Homework Policy

Rationale

Homework is work that is set to be completed outside of the timetabled curriculum. It contains elements of independent study as it is not usually directly supervised by a teacher. It is important in raising student achievement.

Not all homework is done at home. Some students who find it hard to work at home, or for some tasks which may require resources (books, software, equipment) which are more readily available at school, it may be necessary or desirable to carry out the task at school.

Homework enhances student learning, improves achievement and develops students' study skills and as such is an integral part of the curriculum. It requires careful planning and integration into the scheme of work of each curriculum area.

Gilbert Inglefield Academy believes that homework should enhance learning skills through:

• ü Encouraging students to take ownership and responsibility for learning
• ü Encouraging students to develop organisational skills
• ü Promoting self-discipline, independence and resilience
• ü Developing self-confidence and self-motivation
• ü Developing problem-solving skills

It should enhance knowledge by:

• Doing more, learning more and remembering more
•  Providing opportunities for consolidation and extension
• Providing opportunities for pre-learning and preparation for new learning activities.
• Allowing access to resources not available in the classroom.
• Developing research skills.
• Showing progress and understanding.
• Taking ownership and responsibility for learning.
• Personalising learning
• Providing opportunities for extended learning through projects

It should develop home-school dialogue by:

• Bridging the gap between home and school by providing parents and carers with direct involvement with their child’s learning
• Not incurring lots of costs for families through provision of additional resources

Expectations

When, how much and by whom?

Current DfE guidance

• Years 5/6 should receive between 20 and 30 minutes per day
• Years 7/8 should receive between 45 and 90 minutes per day

Please see our current homework timetable below.

Rewards

• High quality homework and a good work ethos should be sensitively praised in class.
• Where appropriate, homework should be included in display work.
• House points for achievement and sustained effort may be awarded for good homework.
• For exceptional pieces of homework, a head of department certificate may be sent home.

Sanctions

When homework is not completed, teachers should initially support the student and ensure the tasks set meet the student's needs. If this is so, and tasks are not completed then sanctions should be used. At all stages support and mentoring should be offered to the student in order to allow for successful completion of homework tasks.

1. Class teacher - discussion and negotiation with student, requirement that task is completed and informing parents/carers via pupil planner.
2. Head of Department - discussion and negotiation with referred student, requirement that task is completed, informing parents/carers via pupil planner. E-mail/phone call to parents/carers and detention if necessary.
3. Form Tutors - through weekly monitoring of diaries, identifying students with homework problems across several curriculum areas. Direct communication with parents and carers via phone call or meeting, referral to Head of Year.
4. Head of Year – monitoring of students causing concern, arranging direct mentoring of students, communication with parents/carers.

Responsibilities

The role of the student

1. To listen to homework instructions in class.
2. To copy down instructions for the task and deadline date into their pupil planner.
3. To ensure that homework is completed and handed in to meet the deadline.
4. To attempt all work and give their best.
5. To inform the class teacher of any difficulties.

The role of the Class Teacher

The class teacher controls the direction of homework and the nature of tasks undertaken. The teacher will:

1. Set homework according to the timetable.
2. Use Google Classrooms/My Maths or other appropriate platforms to set homework but being sensitive to those students who require hard copies of work as a result of being unable to access digital content.
3. Log homework on Arbor
4. Provide the stimulus.
5. Give full and comprehensive instructions.
6. Set deadlines for completed work and ensure that they are met.
7. Mark and return all homework promptly.
8. Provide help and support.
9. Inform Head of Department, Form tutors and Head of Year as appropriate, when problems arise.

The role of the Form Tutor

1. To include homework in student mentoring where appropriate.
2. To see that homework is being set and recorded.
3. To check that the pupil planner is being signed by the parent/guardian.
4. To note and respond to any comments written in pupil planners by parents.

Homework Timetable

For all year groups there is an expectation that students will read for at least 10 minutes a day in Key Stage 2 and 15 minutes in Key Stage 3.

Year 5

Weekly

• English: Reading, Spelling and GPS
• Maths: Times Tables and Problem solving

Year 6

Weekly

• English: Reading, Spelling and GPS
• Maths: Times Tables and Problem solving

Year 7/8

Second half of spring term 2023
(Students will have a full week to complete a task)