Rationale

We aim to make our school as interesting and stimulating as possible for each child. Homework activities can provide children with valuable practice, at home, related to their work in school. Activities are aimed mainly at consolidating techniques and providing opportunities to apply them.

For parents there is:

• the reassurance of a consistent and positive approach to homework
• an insight into some of the subjects carried out in school
• an opportunity to talk to their children about the subject
• a focus for communication with the school

For children homework:

• provides opportunities for individual work
• helps to develop good home study habits
• can encourage responsibility for learning

All class teachers should set homework every evening.  This should be written down where appropriate.  Parents of young children should be given feedback in a pupil's notebook/homework diary.  Younger children should be given reading books to encourage parental involvement in learning.  Class teachers should ensure an indication of time required for homework is given to parents.  Please avoid giving more than 40 mins - 1hr homework even at weekends.

It is important that work is marked and appropriate encouragement given to pupils.  Please avoid too many scrappy work sheets, use exercise books whenever possible.  A routine of homework should be established with both parents and pupils clear about requirements.  Projects should be planned and structured to help pupils maximise achievement.

Lower Prep

Reception

We do not feel that it is necessary to set homework for such young children. However, at the teacher's discretion, children will be asked to read at home, to an adult.

Years 1 & 2

Children are asked to read to or with an adult every night. This may be reading set by the teacher or a book of his or her own choice.

Children are expected to learn spellings and tables for a weekly test.

From Year 2 small written tasks will be set but not necessarily on a regular basis.

Upper Prep

All Upper P rep children are expected to read every evening as part of their homework task. Spellings and tables are also weekly features.

Children are expected to complete a set written task each evening. The duration of all tasks will increase as the child moves through the school. Suggested guidelines are from 40 minutes in Year 3, up to 1 hour by the end of Year 6.

In Years 5 & 6 children are encouraged to undertake independent research.

We have high expectations of the quality and presentation of all homework. Therefore, where possible, written tasks must be done in an exercise book. If worksheets are used, they must travel and be filed in a ring binder folder.

Upper Prep children will be issued with a formal homework diary. All homework will be written on the board for the children to record. They may use coloured pens with the exception of red, used only by the teacher.

Parents are asked to sign homework diaries nightly. If children experience difficulty with a task parents are asked to make a brief comment.

Parents should be made aware of the homework policy.