What is homework?

Homework can be defined as ‘work or activities which pupils are asked to do outside lesson time’ (DfEE 1998).  Research has shown that it makes an important contribution to a student’s progress at school.  Your son/daughter can significantly improve his/her level of achievement by completing each piece of homework.  There are a wide variety of tasks that a student may be asked to do, e.g.:
1.      Written work.
2.      Research – finding out information.
3.      Making a model.
4.      Project work.
5.      Reading.
6.      Revising.
7.      Drafting and planning ideas to be used in a lesson.
8.      Practising an oral activity or speech.
9.      Drawing.
10.    Evaluating their progress in terms of learning.

In addition, all students should spend some time each day reviewing their lesson notes.


Where should homework be completed?

Each person will know how and where he/she works well.  In general, the best conditions are:
1.      in a warm room
2.      somewhere quiet and undisturbed
3.      away from distractions e.g. the TV
4.      a well-lit area and on a flat surface 

When should homework be completed?

There is no one answer but it is very important to plan study time well and establish a routine. Some guidelines include:
1.      Do not leave any piece of work to the last minute – especially Sunday night or morning registration.
2.      Use the Homework Timetable to manage the workload and plan ahead.
3.      Try to complete work as it is set but allow for other activities and some relaxation.
4.      Several shorter sessions tend to be more productive than a long, late stretch.

What can parents do to help?

By taking an interest and encouraging your son/daughter, you will support him/her immediately.
- please check the Homework Timetable in the Journal
- monitor the quality of the homework which is produced by your son/daughter
- try to establish a homework routine with your son/daughter
- make sure there is a suitable, quiet place to work
- check on your son/daughter when homework is being completed to offer support and to make sure that time is being used efficiently
- talk through the tasks that have been set and check at the end to make sure they understand. Parents can be useful proof-readers and offer advice on presentation
- monitor the Personal Journal on a daily basis and sign it once a week.  (There is a space for your comments too.)

What should students be doing?

- record your Homework Timetable in your Journal
- accurately record each piece of homework set and the date it is due in
- complete each piece of homework in detail, ask your parents to check it
- always hand work in on time
- search for further information in books, magazines, newspapers, TV and radio, computer databases, CDroms and the Internet
- remember presentation is important
- make sure your parents read and sign your Journal
- ALWAYS ask if you are not sure

Key Stage 3 (Years 7/8/9)

Your son/daughter should spend a maximum of 1˝ hours on homework per night in Year 7 rising as they get older. Each homework piece should last for about 30 minutes, rising to 45 minutes per subject. Students will be set homework every week in English, Maths and Modern Foreign Languages.

Key Stage 4 (Years 10/11)

Your son/daughter should spend a minimum of 2 hours on homework per night.  Each homework should last for about 60 minutes. Pupils should also be working on coursework and project work which may spread over a longer period of time.

Sixth Form

Your son/daughter should spend an average of 1 hour per subject per night. Please be aware that it is possible that your son/daughter may have homework set during the school holidays.

Questions and Answers

Your son/daughter claims to rarely have homework.  What should you do?

- check the Homework Timetable
- check the Personal Journal
- look through subject books or files for comments about homework
- discuss the problem with your son/daughter
- contact the tutor, Student Co-Ordinator or Head of Learning

Your son/daughter is involved in a wide variety of activities after school.  How do you make sure that there is enough time left for homework?

- check the Homework Timetable to monitor the workload
- establish a routine and expectations at home for when homework is completed
- monitor the time taken up by other activities
- contact the tutor, Student Co-Ordinator or Head of Learning,  if you have further concerns

Being involved in other activities can help pupils to organise their time well.

Your son/daughter is struggling with a piece of homework.  What can you do?
- suggest your son/daughter contacts a friend (work must never be copied)
- try to help them yourself, if practical
- encourage your son/daughter to speak to the subject teacher
- send in a note explaining the difficulty (if the homework is due in the next day)

All pieces of work must be completed.  Please, never complete your son/ daughter’s homework for him/her.

Your son/daughter is teased by friends because he/she is spending more time on homework than they are.  What can you do?

- support and encourage your son/daughter’s motivation
- explain that everyone works at a different pace but personal goals and achievement are important
- if the teasing continues and causes further problems, contact the tutor
- if you are concerned that your son/daughter is working too hard, contact the Tutor, Student Co-Ordinator or Head of Learning

For further advice or information, contact your son/daughter’s Tutor, Student Co-Ordinator or Head of Learning at school on tel: 01454 862900.