Breadalbane Academy Policies
Policy on Homework Introduction
This policy statement has been written following consultation with staff, pupils, the Parent Council and the wider parent body.
In Breadalbane Academy we acknowledge the role played by parents as the first educators of their children.
Rationale
“Homework or home activities make an important contribution to the progress children and young people make at school. Homework also provides an opportunity for young people, parents and teachers to work together.” (Learning & Teaching Scotland). Homework can help to improve achievement and raise attainment of individual pupils where it is meaningful, purposeful and enhances the learning experiences. It can provide positive attitudes for pupils taking responsibilities for their own learning.
Aims
To raise attainment. To allow practice and consolidation of work done in class. To allow preparation for future class work. To recognise the significant contribution home learning and homework can make. To encourage pupils to develop personal responsibility for life-long learning. To provide an opportunity for parents to become involved in their child’s education. To enable pupils to become independent learners.
Homework and Pupil Planners
Homework planners are issued to all pupils. Homework tasks are recorded in these diaries and parents should check these. Teachers should ensure that pupils write any homework in planners.
Planning for effective homework:
Homework will be more effective when it is part of the learners’ personal learning planning i.e. it has been carefully planned by/in consultation with the pupils:
· What are the learning intentions (aims)?
· What are the success criteria (outcomes)?
· What is the purpose of this homework?
· What is the time allocation?
· How are any additional needs met?
· What types of activity are possible which take learners’ styles into consideration?
· What resources are required for staff/pupils?
· How and when will feedback be given?
Purposes and types of homework
There are a variety of reasons for providing homework, and also for deciding appropriate forms which might be used. Some of the purposes include:
· To provide pupils with practice in aspects of class work · Consolidation of rote learning eg times tables, practising sounds in words · To enable pupils to become independent learners · To encourage pupils to manage their time · To foster a partnership between school and home · To provide parents an opportunity to share in their child’s learning · To enable parents to be involved and informed about the type of work being undertaken in class.
Types of homework
Homework in Breadalbane Academy may include the following:
· Reinforcement of class work · Investigations/research topics e.g. a personal project over an extended period · Preparation for class work · Completion of tasks from the classroom · Preparing a presentation
In addition to the above list, the following activities may be useful to enable parents and children to work together.
· Visiting the local library · Using the internet · Trips to exhibitions, galleries, museums etc.
Time allocation
The nature of the homework task will vary according to the needs and abilities of the pupils in Breadalbane Academy.
Primary: 20 minutes per day 4 nights per week.
Secondary: minimum of two homeworks per month per subject.
Roles and Responsibilities
Pupils should –
· Take home their diary/planner and required materials · Complete their homework tasks to an appropriate standard · Keep their diary/planner up-to-date · Ensure all homework tasks are completed on time
Parents should –
· Encourage a positive attitude to homework · Encourage their child to hand homework in on time · Encourage and support their child in their homework tasks · Regularly check their child’s homework diary/planner · Sign their child’s homework when appropriate
Teaching Staff should –
· Set appropriate homework tasks · Mark homework and provide feedback · Report to a support teacher when homework is consistently not handed in
Senior Management Team should –
· Promote and publicise the homework policy · Support staff, pupils and parents in implementing this policy · Monitor and evaluate the policy
Non completion of Homework –
Pupils with additional support needs
Tasks should be differentiated to meet the needs and abilities of pupils in each stage of the school. Tasks should –
· Have a very clear focus · Give plenty of opportunities for pupils to succeed · Help develop social as well as other skills, where necessary · Be varied – not purely written tasks · Be manageable for teachers
Homework should not be seen as a way of attempting to get pupils to catch up with the rest of the class.
Monitoring and Evaluation
Class teachers will monitor and evaluate pupils homework on a daily/weekly basis. The SMT will be responsible for sampling homework jotters regularly (in line with School policy on Monitoring) and discussing with staff how successfully the policy is being implemented. The policy will be reviewed as required.
ICT
The use of the e-mailing facility between home and school for the submission of homework tasks may be used.
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