Beaminster School

What is homework and why is it set?

 

Homework is a task given to pupils by teachers to complete outside of their normal lessons, and forming an integral part of the teaching and learning process within that subject. It will be focussed and planned by the teacher to link in with what is being learnt.

 

The purpose of the homework may vary in that it may:

 

• consolidate learning;

• allow pupils to condense and revisit prior knowledge;

• develop new skills such as research and independence;

• enrich pupils’ wider understanding of the subject (leading to a development of cultural capital).

 

Ultimately the purpose of the homework set by the teacher will be to help students to progress and improve their understanding. Homework also provides an important link between school and home.

 

How can we support homework?

 

The EEF (Education Endowment Fund) has done extensive research and found that homework can give students an added 5+ months of academic progress. This is in addition to supporting the development of independence and study skills.

 

Where homework is set, it must be completed.

 

We realise that, at times, home circumstances can make this difficult for some students and so we offer a regular homework club after school on a Thursday, access to the LRC at lunchtimes, and dedicated support sessions within departments, at lunchtimes, where homework tasks can be completed, or assistance with homework sought.

 

How does a student know what homework is set and what if there are difficulties?

 

Homework is set on ClassCharts.

 

All pupils are given a ClassCharts log-in that is unique to them. All parents and carers are also given their own, separate, ClassCharts log-in. This allows both parents and pupils to view homework set, as well as getting real time information about a pupil’s day in school through, for example, achievement or behaviour points being awarded in class.

 

The lessons a pupil has each day and what homework is set, and when it is due in, can be seen. Any member of staff can remind a student of their ClassCharts login, and the school office should be contacted to resolve any parental access issues. In addition, should a student have any difficulties accessing equipment to complete their homework, this should be raised as soon as possible with the student’s Tutor.

 

How is homework feedback given?

 

Feedback takes two forms. The first is a recognition that a piece of work has been completed to an acceptable standard. This is done through positive behaviour points on ClassCharts. Secondly, feedback that moves learning forward may be given directly to the student verbally, or to the whole class, or it may be done through follow-up tasks that address any possible misconceptions raised by the homework. Feedback may also be given in the form of written comment.

 

How much homework should there be?

 

The school expects teachers to set homework that is meaningful and purposeful rather than dictate a certain amount, and an idea of the amount of time students should spend on a particular homework may be indicated on ClassCharts.

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Key Stage 3 (Years 7-9)

Pupils should set aside up to 60 minutes each evening in which to complete homework. Key Stage 3 homework tasks will be 20 to 30 minutes in length.

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Using the due-in dates allows students to plan what homework they need to complete in their nightly 60 minutes of homework time.

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If a student has an evening commitment, for example, a sports club, that impacts on their ability to spend 60 minutes doing homework that evening, they should adjust other homework nights accordingly (e.g. if Wednesday night is unavailable for homework, Tuesday becomes 90 minutes and Thursday becomes 90 minutes of homework time).

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Key Stage 4 (Years 10-11)

Pupils should set aside up to 90 minutes each evening in which to complete homework. Key Stage 4 subject homework tasks will be 30 to 40 minutes in length.

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In both Key Stages, pupils should aim to complete two to three pieces of homework a night. In most cases homework will be set for the following week, but sometimes this may not be possible if the homework is designed to support a specific lesson. There will, however, be no homework that is due in the next day.

 

We hope this will allow students to identify, from ClassCharts, three pieces of homework per night, in order of due date priority, and complete them in advance of the deadline.

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We understand that, potentially, a pupil could spend an excessive amount of time on one piece of homework, but this isn’t our intention. If there is an occasion where your child has spent the appropriate amount of time on a piece, in a focussed and hardworking manner, please let the teacher know this and the homework will be deemed complete. Letting the teacher know will also allow appropriate adaptations to be made.

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If a pupil is struggling with a piece of homework they should attend the subject’s department support session at lunchtime before the homework is due in.

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When is homework due in?

 

This will be indicated on ClassCharts.

 

Homework is not set with an expectation that it is due in the following day, and in many cases it will not be due until the following week. An important part of developing independence is managing homework timings, and so we ask parents and carers to view the homework set and encourage their child to complete it as soon as possible, therefore assisting them in learning how to manage their time and work.

 

What if homework is not handed in when due?

 

This will be indicated on ClassCharts.

 

The student will be instructed by their teacher to attend a lunchtime support session, run by the department, to enable them to complete the task set. The purpose of the support session is to remove any barriers, for example, in terms of understanding or being unable to access the task and/or equipment, and thus ensure that the pupil is not disadvantaged.

 

Importantly, the support sessions also raise teacher awareness of any needs a pupil may have in terms of completing the homework. In some cases, a short extension to the deadline may be offered, although this is at the discretion of the individual teacher.

 

Should a student refuse to attend the homework support as required, a detention will be awarded and shown on ClassCharts, as the pupil has refused to follow an instruction given to them. The homework must still be completed and handed in.

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