Auckland College Independent School
Secondary Homework Policy
1. Our Aims:
Ensure that parents are clear about what their child is expected to do.
Ensure consistency of approach throughout the school.
To use homework as a tool to help to continue to raise standards of attainment.
Improve the quality of the learning experience offered to pupils and to extend it beyond the classroom environment.
Provide opportunities for parents, children and the school to work together in partnership in relation to children’s learning.
Encourage pupils and their parents to share and enjoy learning experiences.
Reinforce work covered in class by providing further opportunities for the individual pupil.
To practise or consolidate basic skills and knowledge, especially in Numeracy and Literacy.
Encourage children to develop the responsibility, confidence and self-discipline needed to study independently.
To prepare GCSE students to transfer to 6th form/College.
Homework Setting
Year 7 40mins (2 x 20 minutes)
Year 8 40mins (2 x 20 minutes)
Year 9 60mins (2 x 30 minutes)
Year 10 60mins (2 x 30 minutes)
Year 11 60mins (2 x 30 minutes)
Key Stage 3
Key Stage 3 pupils will receive two pieces of homework per night with at least one instance of homework for each subject every week. Each homework is planned and should take at least 20 minutes to complete (two pieces of homework = 40mins). Homework tasks should be written in the pupil’s diary and their work book during the lesson. Homework will be handed in the following day to the subject teacher unless otherwise stated.
Key Stage 4
Key Stage 4 pupils will receive two pieces of homework per night with at least one instance of homework for each subject every week. Each homework is planned and should take at least 30 minutes to complete (two pieces of homework = 60mins). Homework tasks should be written in the pupil’s diary and work book during the. Homework will be handed in the following day, unless otherwise stated.
Homework Diary
The homework diary should be brought to school every day. Form Tutors will need to supply a photocopied sheet from the diary for any student who might forget to bring it to school and sanctions should be applied according to policy.
Homework should normally be written on the board with sufficient time for students to copy it down into their homework diary and work book. The date set and the date to be completed should be clearly stated. The content of the homework should be written so that parents can understand what has to be done, and so they can help if necessary.
Parents and the tutor should sign the diary each week to show they have noted what has been set and completed.
Help with Homework
If homework tasks are not understood by students, they should find their subject teacher, before the homework is due for completion, and ask for help. Otherwise they should have a letter from a parent explaining their difficulty and requesting support.
Monitoring Homework
This should form part of each student's review of the week's work in form time and will be overseen by the form tutor.
Subject teachers should keep accurate records in their mark books, and should check that set homework has been completed.
If homeworks are missed, the relevant sanction will be applied, informing the parents via SchoolPod and/or by telephone, giving 24 hours’ notice of any detention. If the student fails to attend a homework detention without a genuine reason provided by parent or guardian, then this becomes a behaviour issue and will be dealt with as outlined in the Behaviour Policy.
The students should be given work to do in the detention which is relevant to the subject and with the individual’s ability. The detention should not be used to complete the missing homework, this should be done in addition.
If a student begins to develop a poor homework record, parents will be invited into school to see either the form tutor or the Assistant Head to discuss how, both school and home, can support the student further. If poor homework performance continues after this meeting, then a meeting with the Head Teacher will be set up and a Home School Agreement will be put in place.
Homework Tasks that might be set
Tasks should have a clear objective and be linked to the current or future topics.
It is not appropriate to set tasks for pupils to ‘finish off’ classwork
Other suitable tasks include the following:
• Investigations, Interviews
• Research, Public library visit
• Reading, Designing
• Drawing, Word processing
• Simple experiments, Essay writing
• Drafting, Report writing
• Revision, Making a model
• Desktop publishing Projects
Departmental 'banks' of assignments to support programs of study are a useful approach to planning.
Absent pupils
Pupil is absent on day homework is set:
When a pupil is absent on the day the homework has been set then they have also missed a lesson in that subject. It is the pupil’s responsibility to see each teacher and to catch up on missed classwork. It will be to the discretion of the teacher, whether the pupil will also need to complete missed homework.
Pupil is absent on day homework is to be handed in:
When a pupil is absent on the day a homework was to be handed in they will be expected to hand it in directly to the subject teacher upon their return to school. The teachers will then mark the work and provide feedback as soon as possible.
Poor Homework Standards
If a pupil hands in a piece of homework that does not reflect their true ability or does not meet the requirements set by the teacher, then the pupil will receive a “No grade” and will be subject to the same consequences as a pupil who has failed to complete their homework.
Recommended Time Allocation
Homework should never be too onerous, nor should it ever create stress within the pupil’s family. If parents have any concerns they should not hesitate to contact the subject or form tutor.
Normally, homework should be returned completed the following day; however, there may be times when it is necessary to spend more time.
Holiday homework will also be set at the end of each half term. This will be a piece of work to review the learning which has taken place or is due to take place next term. It is compulsory and will support ensuring our pupils are challenged and ready for the next step of their learning. It will be formally marked and will be recognised and rewarded accordingly.
Each subject book should be looked after carefully and respected like all other school books. The homework diary needs to come to school on a daily basis. It plays a key role in home/school communication – both parents and teachers use these diaries, not only to keep track of the homework expectations, but also to send notes or reminders.
Role of the Class Teacher
To provide an explanation of homework tasks to parents when necessary and give guidance of how they might assist their child. This may be done by a note with the work or in the diary, at a parents’ meeting or at an open evening.
To set up regular homework in an easily followed routine.
To ensure that homework is set consistently across classes.
To set homework that takes equal opportunities into account.
To ensure any homework is purposeful and links directly to the taught curriculum.
To reward and praise children who regularly complete homework tasks.
To mark homework and give feedback to pupils.
Role of the Head teacher
To check compliance of the Policy.
To meet and talk with parents when appropriate.
To discuss with staff how far the policy is being successfully implemented.
Inform new parents to the school so that they are aware of the home/school agreement and what it entails.
Role of Parents/Carers
To support the school by ensuring that their child attempts the homework.
To provide a suitable place for their child to carry out their homework.
To encourage and praise their child when they have completed their homework.
To become actively involved and support their child with homework activities.
To make it clear that they value homework and they support the school by explaining how it can help learning.
At Auckland College we are very keen for parents to support and help their children with homework. We take the view that children are likely to get more out of an activity if parents get involved, as long as they do not take over too much. However, there are times when we will want to see what children can do on their own. It is particularly important, as they get older, for children to become increasingly independent in their learning. If a parent is unsure about what their role should be, they should discuss it with their child's teacher.
If a child is absent for a length of time e.g. with a broken leg, the teacher and the parent will agree what should be done, how it should be marked and what sort of help needs to be given. When leave of absence has been granted by the Headteacher, teachers will provide homework for the pupil to complete whilst they are off, provided enough notice was given. Parents/Carers who have queries about homework should not hesitate to make an appointment to see their child’s class teacher.
Equal Opportunities:
The staff is committed to providing the full range of opportunities for all pupils, regardless of gender, disability, ethnicity, social, cultural or religious background. All pupils have access to the curriculum, and the right to a learning environment, which dispels ignorance, prejudice or stereotyping.
Policy written by: Miss S Boyd
Date Written: September 2012
Date reviewed: September 2014
Reviewed by: S Boyd
Reviewed: S Boyd
Reviewed: August 2016
Reviewed: S Boyd
Reviewed: January 2018
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