The school policy for homework was developed and agreed by the whole staff in consultation with parents and pupils and has the full agreement of the governing body, the policy will be reviewed Autumn 2014

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 continue to raise standards of attainment and enjoyment of learning
 Improve the quality of 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 Year 6 pupils for the transfer to secondary school

2. Role of the Class Teacher

 To provide an explanation of homework tasks to parents and give guidance of how they might assist their child
 To set up regular homework in an easily followed routine
 To ensure that homework is set consistently across the 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 using our tokens system
 To mark homework and give feedback to pupils, with the exception of spelling and phonics

3. Role of Parents / Carers

 To support the school by ensuring that their child attempts the homework
 To provide a suitable place for their chid to carry out the homework
 To encourage and praise their child when they have completed their homework, creating a positive environment
 To become actively involved and supported their child with homework activities, including helping children developing time             management skills when longer projects are set and independent skills.
 To make it clear that they value homework and they support the school by explaining how it can help learning

4. Homework Tasks

As well as basic skills homework, which concentrate on Literacy and Numeracy skills, longer term projects or task grids linked to the class topic will also be set. These will be explained on each term’s curriculum newsletter, which is sent out in the first week of each term. If further information on the task is necessary, please come and talk to the class teacher.
Children will be given a homework book, to keep their work in good condition and aid organisation. To help keep these books safe, reading bags can be bought from the school office.
Long term projects will not be fully marked by the class teacher, but will be commented on, shared with the class and a token received upon completion.
Weekly homework will be marked and returned home in the children’s book, so this can be shared with parents. We encourage parents to complete any errors with their child.
Parents/Carers who have queries about homework should not hesitate to make an appointment to see their child’s class teacher.
Class teachers will carefully monitor the return of homework.
The table below shows expected homework. Teachers may on occasion, send extra homework if they feel it would be beneficial. This will be for the whole class as it is unmanageable to send individualised homework. Class teachers will advise parents about extra work they could do at home if they wish. The school website will also have links on our website and a copy of the homework tasks and newsletters can be found on the children’s class pages on our website.
Reception
Weekly reading books, word or phonic cards
Year 1 / 2
Regular Reading
Termly tasks grids lasting 6 weeks
Weekly spelling – linked to high frequency words (Creative task grid)
Number work – times tables and number facts
Year 3 / 4
Regular Reading
Termly tasks grids lasting 6 weeks
Weekly spelling – linked to words they have mis-spelt in their writing (Creative task grid)
Weekly short focussed number work – linked to their learning that week
Year 5 / 6
Regular Reading
Termly tasks grids lasting 6 weeks
Weekly spelling – linked to words they have mis-spelt in their writing (Creative task grid)
Weekly number work – reflecting their class work
Weekly literacy exercise – reflecting their class work
In addition we will be sending out weekly targets which show what the children have been aiming for and learning that week in school for Reading, Writing and Mathematics. This includes a section for children to evaluate their own learning and for teachers to write an optional comment. There is also a section for parents to write a comment and feedback to the teachers on their child’s learning. We would be grateful if you could sign and return these targets to keep a record of progress.
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 school

5. Role of the headteacher and Governing Body

 To check compliance with 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 homework policy and what it entails

Equal opportunities
The governors and staff are 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