Home Learning

Rationale

Homework is not an optional extra, but an essential part of a good education.

-1999 White Paper, Excellence in Schools

Homework (remote learning) is work that is set to be done outside the timetabled curriculum. It contains an element of independent study in that it is not usually directly supervised by a teacher. It is important in raising student achievement.

Homework enhances student learning, improves achievement and develops students’ study skills and as such is an integral part of the curriculum. It requires careful planning and integration into the scheme of work of each curriculum area.

Aims

Homework enables students to:

Increase motivation to succeed in each subject.
Encourage curiosity and resilience across the curriculum.
Consolidate and extend work covered in class or prepare for new learning activities.
Access resources not available in the classroom.
Develop research skills.
Have an opportunity for independent work.
Show progress and understanding.
Provide feedback in the evaluation of teaching.
Enhance study skills e.g. planning, time management and self-discipline.
Take ownership and responsibility for learning.
Engage parental co-operation and support.
Create channels for home school dialogue.

Homework Overview:

Each subject will aim to set relevant and rigorous activities via Class Charts.

Departments will aim to use a mixture of activities to facilitate subject knowledge retrieval and skills development. In addition, at KS4 home learning will focus on preparation for future lessons in Year 10 and revision and completion of exam question practice in Year 11.

Incentives:

High quality home learning and a good work ethos should be sensitively praised in class. Rewards can be posted via Class Charts.

Responsibilities

The role of the student

To listen to home learning instructions in class and utilise Class Charts to access instructions, resources and activities.
To ensure that home learning is completed and submitted to meet the set deadline.
To attempt all work and give their best.
To inform the class teacher of any difficulties.

The role of the Form Tutor

To include home learning in pupil mentoring where appropriate.
To support students with access and logins to Class Charts.
To respond to any generic questions or queries from their tutor’s parents concerning home learning.
To liaise with students’ teachers and parents regarding non-completion of home learning.

The role of the Class Teacher

The class teacher controls the direction of home learning and the nature of tasks undertaken. The teacher will:

Set home learning according to their timetable on Class Charts (KS4 once a week, KS3 minimum of once a fortnight).
Give full and comprehensive instructions on Class Charts.
Set deadlines for completed work.
Mark and return all home learning promptly via Class Charts or in lesson time.
Provide feedback through a variety of mediums.
Provide help and support in lessons and remotely via Class Charts as appropriate.

The role of the Departmental Leader

To monitor the quality of home learning set.
To assess the impact of the home learning set on pupil progress and the curriculum.

Homework Club

After school Homework club is available to support students with their homework or issues relating to it. Each subject has a designated day that they will provide specialist support (on the timetable below) after school. However, students are welcome to attend S1 any day of the week for generic homework support with the teachers and departments available that day.

Upon arrival to homework club students must scan the QR code in the classroom to register or inform the teacher present that they are there for homework club so they can registered.