Homework

Walgrave and Pitsford Federation Homework Guidance 2023

Aims and Objectives

The Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) research states that homework in Primary Schools can have an impact on a child’s achievement (up to 2 months) however this is supported by limited evidence.

Across the WPPS federation we believe that homework supports our children to develop in their independence and prepare them for their next stage in life.  However, we do recognise that this is non-statutory and there is no obligation for parents to ensure their children do this.

We also believe that it is important that children have time to spend with their family and with other activities particularly during the primary years and want to support our parents to do this. Also that the needs of our children change over time linked to their developmental age and their personal circumstances.

As such we will set homework that supports, extends and consolidates learning from the classroom and that encourages children to take responsibility for their own learning.  The majority of our homework is online which reflects the advice from the EEF.  Homework for younger children is optional and broad to support families to choose what they believe is best for their child.  Homework for children in Year 5 and Year 6 is more structured to support their transition into Key Stage 3.

Up until 2012 the DfE advised time guidelines for children in primary schools :

Years 1 and 2: 1 hour per week
Years 3 and 4: 1.5 hours per week
Years 5 and 6: 30 minutes per day

We recommend that parents recognise this and our expectations will never exceed these recommendations.  This time allocation should include children’s self reading for pleasure.

We wish to reward and promote independent self-study in our Federation and will award certificates, trophies and house points to encourage children who are demonstrating their love for and commitment to learning, particularly where this is beyond the standard homework.

Children in Y5 and Y6 who are not completing homework will be encouraged to use time within the school day to complete tasks.  This will be a supportive measure rather than punitive and is entirely optional for the child.  We will inform parents of children in Y5 and Y6 who are regularly not completing homework and seek their support to prepare children for Secondary school. 

We recognise that vulnerable children may not have access to space and equipment for home learning and will liaise directly with their parents/carers to discuss how we can support this.

100 Things is the foundation of our homework and we will support this with opportunities within school also.  Where children have difficulties in accessing 100 Things activities outside of school (particularly vulnerable children) staff will provide targeted support.

We celebrate children achieving their 100 Things.  Teachers have discretion to be flexible as appropriate in giving awards.  As with all our homework where more independent children (particularly those in Y5 and Y6) are not engaging with 100 Things parents will be made aware and school will seek to support.

This policy aims to:

• Raise achievement;
• Ensure a consistency of approach throughout the school;
• Ensure teachers, parents and carers have a clear understanding about expectations of themselves and pupils.

The main purpose of homework is:

• to encourage pupils to develop the skill, confidence and motivation to study independently at home effectively.
• to consolidate and reinforce the skills and understanding developed at school.
• to extend school learning through activities such as additional reading and research.
• to develop and sustain the involvement of parents in the management of their child’s learning and to keep them informed about the work and progress their child is achieving.
• to explore the wide range resources for learning at home eg: internet, library, adult knowledge and newspapers.
• to maintain good channels of communication between home and school.
• to offer pupils the opportunity to extend their learning by including optional, additional challenges or open-ended questions.
• to consolidate spellings of high frequency words.

The amount and difficulty of homework is tailored according to the child’s age and ability.

Sufficient time is allowed for the completion of homework to allow for a healthy home/school work balance.

As the children progress through the school, the amount of homework may increase.

Homework Guidelines for each Key Stage

We believe that the most important homework activity is regular reading. Suggested reading times are 5-10 minutes in Reception increasing to at least 30 minutes by Year 5 & 6. There is an expectation that reading at home will happen daily (5 times a week minimum). It is important for parents / carers to read with children and to discuss books, pictures and stories, even when they are in Year 6. Children’s reading records are to be signed by parents / carers, after hearing children read.

The nature and content of homework set, and the amount of time needed to complete homework will vary from year to year and from child to child.  Teachers may also send text maps home for children to learn, knowledge organisers or other information linked to the learning in class.

Generally our homework will follow this guidance:

Homework in Early Years

Homework in Key Stage 1 (Year 1 & 2)

Homework in Lower Key Stage 2 (Years 3 & 4)

Homework in Upper Key Stage 2 (Years 5 & 6)

How you can help your child with their homework

Below is a list of ways that you as a parent can show your child that you value their homework and the time and effort spent completing it.

You can show you value your child’s homework by:

• providing a suitable place in which your child can do their homework, preferably with an adult to discuss, encourage and support;
• making it clear to your child that you value homework and support the school in explaining how it can help learning;
• ensuring work is complete and submitted on time;
• checking your child spends a suitable amount of time on homework.

Additionally, you can support your child’s development by:

• visits to libraries, museums etc;
• cooking with them;
• taking your child swimming;
• playing games, e.g. board games, cards, ball games;
• watching informative TV programmes together;
• providing opportunities for craft activities, e.g. cutting, sticking, sewing, painting etc;
• gardening and growing plants;
• using the internet to research something with your child (following guidelines for safe internet use);
• attending any school workshops that may be on offer designed to enable

Parents/Carers to support their child’s learning at home:

• talking to your child about schoolwork, their day, what they have been learning about and how they have been learning.

Remember:

• Homework is about reinforcing, practicing and confidence building...
• Enthusing your child about undertaking homework and modelling passion for learning. Make it fun!