Homework Policy

Introduction

Government recommendations are that for Primary pupils at least 30 minutes homework should be completed on the evening of each school day. Children who can develop the perseverance to complete homework tasks each day are learning valuable skills which will be advantageous to them during secondary education and through later life.

At Giles Junior School we believe that Homework can:

* effectively extend the time that children spend on learning
* provide children with opportunities to reach higher levels of attainment and to make greater progress
* enhance and extend children's learning
* support the attitude that learning is not confined to the classroom
* improve the links between home and school by bridging gaps between the two by highlighting for children and parents the importance of learning at home.

Research indicates that when children, teachers and parents take homework seriously, children's work improves and standards are raised. (OFSTED 1995 "Homework in Primary and Secondary Schools")

Therefore children who do homework have a real ADVANTAGE in their learning.

Entitlement

At Giles Junior School we expect that pupils will complete all homework tasks. As parents you will be asked to support your child in some or all of the following ways.

1. Check regularly that homework tasks are being set by school and are completed by children.

2. Work alongside children to help with spellings, handwriting, punctuation and ideas.

3. Allow time for work to be completed.

4. Hear your child read and/or read to your child.

5. Ask questions about books that have been read, topics covered at school, visits made, club activities etc.

6. Give your children opportunities to practise their maths skills.

7. Encourage children to persevere with challenging tasks.

8. Inform the school when problems arise.

9. Make sure that work is completed to the best of the child's ability.

Implementation

Pupils will:

Read every day and write the book title and pages read in their Homework Diary and/or their Reading Record book.

Complete each homework task in the time allowed and hand it in to the teacher on time.

Produce the best work they possibly can.

Know that help will be given in school if it is needed.

Teachers will:

Set homework regularly. Teachers appreciate the time taken to complete homework tasks and will mark and / or comment on each piece of work.

Make arrangements for any missed homework to be done.

Explain any homework to children who have tried but found it difficult, so that work can be completed and handed in on time. Children can ask advice from ANY teacher.

Give sufficient time for all tasks to be completed.

School will:

Inform parents if a child falls behind with homework, since this will be a serious DISADVANTAGE to the child.

Identify core homework tasks that will be a common entitlement for all pupils. Individual teachers will be expected to set a variety of tasks linked to current areas of study.Core tasks will be outlined on the school web-site

Each child, throughout their time at Giles Junior School, will be expected to complete these tasks.

Core Homework tasks

1. Learning a set of spellings for a test.

2. Learn specific mathematical facts.

3. Read from a selection of books.

4. A piece of writing which will be illustrated by either drawings, photographs or other visual means.

Children could be given other tasks to complete.

Developing working relationships with parents

At Giles Junior School we believe that homework is an opportunity to extend school activities at home, to involve parents in their children's learning and to develop work habits which will prepare children for secondary school.

English

Speaking and Listening is perhaps the most important part of English and as a skill comes before Reading and Writing. Please encourage your child to discuss with you what he/she has done at school during the day.

Reading is very important and all children benefit from sharing books with others members of the family or a friend.
o Younger or less fluent readers should read for a minimum of ten minutes daily.
o Please encourage children to use the school and public library to supplement and extend reading.
o We are always pleased to see books which the children bring from home.
o Parents should use the comment book to communicate with school.

Writing: Children will be given a set of spellings early in the week to be learned for a test. We recommend that when you help your child to learn their spellings you use the following method:

* look at the word carefully;
* read the word aloud;
* cover the word up;
* write the word from memory;
* check to see if the word has been spelt correctly.

Repeat this process until the word has been spelt correctly. Please try to encourage children to learn a few words each evening, rather than leaving it all until the last evening!

Writing at home
o Teachers are always pleased to see work done at home
o Children could write a holiday diary , a report of a special event, a book review or an imaginative story or poem.
o Please ensure that children are forming their letters correctly, advice will be given by class teachers if necessary.

Maths

In general, maths homework without adult support can only be further practice of what each child already knows.

o Involve children in practical activities such as cooking, shopping and playing board games, all of which develop an understanding of number and other mathematical ideas.
o Practice multiplication tables at home.
o Teach your child to tell the time.
o Encourage your child to use measuring tools accurately
These skills can often be learned more quickly at home on a one to one basis with parents and we actively encourage all parents to support their children in this way.

Other subject areas

School projects in other subject areas (e.g. Science, History, Geography, etc) can be followed up at home, thus deepening the child's understanding. There are many ways in which this can be encouraged:

* visiting places of interest;
* using libraries and museums;
* making models and games;
* drawing maps and plans;
* making records and taking photographs.

You will be notified during September of the topics your child will be studying during the coming year.

A Final Note

REMEMBER, homework is meant to be an enjoyable and worthwhile activity for all and should not be allowed to cause distress to pupils, parents or teachers! Please discuss any problems with the class teacher concerned as soon as they arise.

Review
This policy will be reviewed, added to or modified by the Governing Body every four years or more frequently as required.

Distribution

A copy of this document will be available to:

a) all school governors
b) all teaching staff
c) all non-teaching staff if requested
d) all parents if requested