Homework
As a school we are keen to maximise opportunities for your children to reach their full potential. The issue of homework is an emotive one, some parents and children are inspired and positive, whilst others find the activities time consuming and a cause of arguments, which had a negative effect on the children’s attitude to learning.
We regularly review current research into the impact of homework on children’s learning. Whilst there are differing opinions, the evidence collected unequivocally shows a strong positive impact on achievement at Secondary level, i.e. the older the child, the stronger the correlation with achievement. The evidence is less secure that homework positively impacts upon achievement at most of primary level, although there is some suggestion that it starts to have some effect on learning at the end of their primary stage, although this is negligible and in some cases, actually negative.
Society is changing considerably, and research suggests, therefore, that children are now learning for a greater proportion of the day than even 10 years ago. This is due to the advancement in technology and the increasing usage of it. Research has now shifted further and has found that setting too much homework is having a detrimental effect on family life and, as mentioned earlier, academic achievement.
On the other hand, where homework has been found to be most successful is where it has been used, almost spontaneously, as a short and focused intervention, where the children drive their own learning. It is this which we are aspiring to foster within our children; to build a lifelong interest and a thirst for learning.
With all of this in mind, we are striving to encourage a love of reading and a secure understanding in our number facts. Whilst we would still encourage and reward extended home learning, where the children are captivated by their recent lessons, we will not be insisting upon this and it is up to you to decide whether this will support your individual child's needs.
Homework will continue to consist of:
- Reading five times a week recorded in their reading diaries. We would encourage reading for pleasure, reading to your child as well as your child reading to you.
- Maths should include regular practise of multiplication tables, number bonds and any incidental maths, such as, money when shopping, and telling the time. In Key Stage 1, there is an additional optional piece of maths homework which consists of approximately 5 quick questions related to your child's learning that week. This provides an opportunity for you to see what your child is learning each week and provides your child with a short retrieval practice session. In Key Stage 2, maths homework can be accessed via your child's Freckle login.
- Spelling practice. Following our work in 2023 with Sounds and Syllables, the children will receive repeating spellings over several weeks to give the children the opportunity to practise the specific spelling over repeating weeks.