September 2014 Dear Parents/Guardians I am sure you are aware that the School has a policy of setting regular homework for students of all years. The policy is flexible, to be relevant and to take account of our schemes for learning and the different abilities of our students. The policy will also reflect the changing demands between Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4. There is a specified timetable for homework at Key Stage 3 for those subjects that set homework on a weekly basis. To allow more in-depth study e.g. project work, some subjects will set other extended learning tasks, in addition to the specified timetable. This approach will contribute to our commitment to personalising learning for all our students. Parents can access details of all homework tasks and deadlines via the INSIGHT portal. This guidance explains Rawlett’s homework policy and the importance we place on the setting and completing of homework.
Yours faithfully,
KS3 and KS4 Homework Policy 2014-15
P T Bassett Headteacher
Homework
All students are entitled to extend and enhance their learning through high quality homework opportunities. Our aims for the students are as follows: To organise themselves and their time in completing a task. To develop independent learning. To learn and practise study skills e.g. research, revision. To enable them to develop their own individual abilities.
Students should complete the work they are set to the best of their ability, within a reasonable time span. This will vary according to the nature of the task and the subject. They should always hand in their homework, or at least a creditable attempt, on the due date.
Parents can help by: Providing an appropriate study space for homework. Giving advice, guidance, support and encouragement.
Homework Timetable To develop our students’ skills, the College intends to: Encourage parental involvement with their children completing homework. Provide opportunities to reinforce and prepare for work in class. Use the time to help students meet coursework requirements. Provide opportunities in the Learning Centre (LRC) for homework to be completed. We have firm evidence that those students who regularly complete homework are the ones who perform best in assessments, including examinations. Where this effort is encouraged and monitored by supportive parents, in co-operation with teachers, students tend to do even better. Expectations of Students and Parents Students should record every homework in their Planner as soon as it is set, noting the date for completion.
A homework planner will be issued to all Key Stage 3 students to support them in recording and completing their homework. Students should also see that packing their bags and checking that they have the correct equipment for the next day is part of their development of organisational skills.
Types of Homework
Written - extensions to classwork, questionnaires, past examination questions, completion of final drafts. Learning - e.g. revision, vocabulary work, practising. Preparation - e.g. research, reading, interviews, analysis. Project work. Creative - rehearsing, drawing, painting.
Homework may be designed as a class activity. It may also be designed to help individual students overcome particular weaknesses or to present high-achievers with challenges to extend them.
Completion of Homework Homework must be completed to the best of their ability. Where there are genuine difficulties, both ICT and Learning Support are available before and after College (from 8.15am to 4.00pm) in our Learning Centre (LRC) for all of our students.
Please note the following:
Extended learning opportunities may also be set in the form of project / coursework. This may take precedence over, or include, “normal” homework. As a rough guide it is expected that students should be able to complete their normal homework in up to 45 – 75 minutes each night depending on their age and ability.
Enhanced learning opportunities will increase this demand but the workload will be spread over a longer period of time. Teachers will occasionally set enhanced learning opportunities in all subjects. Please do not hesitate to contact your daughter or son’s Form Tutor if you have any concerns regarding homework.
Key Stage 3 Homework
Key Stage 4 Homework
The homework planner should suppor students to plan their work time effectively and this will help them to evaluate the style and type of courses they may wish to access once they embark on the options process.
Students are now following their chosen subjects in preparation for GCSE and other qualifications. As such the amount of homework expected will increase.
All students will be set homework on a regular basis.
Homework every week ENGLISH MATHEMATICS SCIENCE FRENCH GERMAN
Subjects setting regular but not weekly homework
Art Citizenship Drama Geography History ICT Music Physical Education Religious Studies Technology As an ongoing strategy to improve Literacy and Numeracy we encourage students to read at home and develop Maths skills through everyday tasks. Some students in Years 7 and 8 may have more literacy and numeracy based tasks to complete.
Students should expect to complete around 60 minutes homework for each subject each week. Homework will be set according to the student’s individual timetable In GCSE and BTEC subjects, homework set may include tasks extending over several weeks. This should be detailed in the students’ Planner with clear information about deadlines Students are expected to record homework tasks and deadlines to support them in planning their time. Planners are available for students who find them useful.
