Homework Policy

 

Adopted by the Governors on ____________

 

Policy to be renewed _____________

 

PRINCIPLES

 

Well designed homework will play a valuable part in a student’s education. It offers opportunities for work which is independent of the teacher. Homework tasks will exploit materials, new technologies and sources of information which are not always accessible in the classroom. Examinations today demand a greater responsibility from students to set their own tasks and plan their work. Homework will take many forms and is an essential complement to the work done in lessons. It is integral to all KS4 and Post 16 courses and plays a vital part in enhancing students’ learning reinforcing what it is done in the classroom, encouraging them to take increased responsibility for achieving their goals and increasing their chances of success.

 

 

PURPOSE

 

Homework is set to provide students with opportunities to:

 

· Extend, develop and practise what was learned in class.

· Prepare for work in class.

· Acquire the ability, confidence and organisational skills to work independently.

· Work at their own pace and ability level, particularly in tackling longer term projects.

· Make use of resources and new technologies outside of the College.

· Strengthen College-home links in the learning process.

· Revise and reinforce skills and knowledge learnt in the class work.

 

Homework also helps the teacher to:

 

· Check that students understand class work.

· Assess students’ potential; necessary for reviews and examination entry.

 

Homework will take many different forms including: planning, preparing, revising, learning, reading, speaking, designing, drawing, collecting, re-drafting, improving, researching information and written tasks to consolidate or extend learning.

 

Homework should not just be finishing off class work, nor should it be completed in class.

 

Some homework tasks will be specific short term tasks related to the topic at that time and others will contribute to longer term tasks such as projects, portfolios of work and coursework.

 

 

FACILITIES AND RESOURCES

 

The College will provide a learning resources area including library facilities during the school day and after school so that students can access resources and suitable conditions for doing homework. This area has computers and access therefore to the College Virtual Learning Environment (VLE – an Internet service which all students have access to which stores learning resources and homework tasks, etc).

 

A homework club will take place twice a week after school and a member of staff is there to supervise and help students with homework tasks.

 

When students join the College, parents are given advice and asked to undertake to provide suitable conditions at home for doing homework.

 

The student planner is the means by which homework is recorded by the students and monitored by the teachers, the tutor and parents.

 

 

PRACTICE

 

It is expected that all teachers set homework for their classes and that it is of an appropriate level and length for the students concerned. Guidelines will be given by the Curriculum Area. The key to this policy is that homework should be appropriate and relevant to learning, not set for its own sake.

 

At KS4 the class teacher should set on average one hour’s homework per week. If the subject is a double qualification with more lessons per week than other subjects the amount of homework should be 1 ½ - 2 hours per week.

 

At KS5 there should be a minimum of 3 hours per week per subject in Year 12 with an increase in Year 13. Double qualifications would again set more per week. As at KS4, homework tasks will vary from specific written ones to research and further reading. Students have study periods during the school day when homework will be undertaken to alleviate the workload for the evening. Students will be expected to use the Learning Resources area for private study. It is important to prepare students for the independent study that they will face in Further and Higher Education if they pursue that route.

 

 

RESPONSIBILITIES

 

The student is responsible for:

 

· Recording all homework tasks in the student planner

· Recording "absent" or "none set" if appropriate.

· Recording the completion deadline.

· Completing the work set to the best of his/her ability.

· Handing the completed work in on time.

· Discovering what the homework task was if absent and completing.

 

The parent is responsible for:

 

· Providing a suitable place for their son/daughter to do his/her homework.

· Checking the student planner to see what homework is set.

· Encouraging the student to complete the homework on time.

· Contacting the College via the student manager, tutor or subject teacher if there are any concerns.

 

The teacher is responsible for:

 

· Setting regular and appropriate homework according to the College and curriculum area policies.

· Ensuring that homework is properly recorded in the student planner. For weaker groups, the homework should be written on the board for students to copy down.

· Using the VLE to promote homework tasks and deadlines. Access to the VLE via computers in the Learning Resources area will ensure equality of opportunity.

· Setting a date for completion.

· Marking the homework and giving helpful and constructive comments (see also written feedback policy).

· Returning the marked work within two weeks of taking it in. If this is a problem students should be informed of when it will be returned.

· Promoting the homework club and learning resources area to help support students.

 

The Curriculum Team Leader is responsible for:

 

· Ensuring that colleagues are aware of both the College and curriculum area policies.

· Monitoring that all staff set and mark homework and taking appropriate action if this is found not to be the case.

· Monitoring that the homework set is appropriate for specific classes and individuals.

· Checking homework is set and completed by students when scrutinising student work.

· Taking appropriate action to sanction students who fail to complete homework.

· Asking students about their homework when undertaking student interviews.

· Responding to parents who raise concerns about homework issues.

 

The tutor is responsible for:

 

· Issuing tutees with a student planner and ensuring it is used and replaced when lost.

· Checking student planners regularly to see if homework is being set and responding to any concerns from parents about homework.

· Contacting parents if homework completion or missed deadlines become an issue with a tutee.

· Contacting subject teachers if a student or parent has issues that cause problems with regards to homework.

 

The Division/Year Head is responsible for:

 

· Ensuring all tutors check and monitor the use of the student planner.

· Following up serious homework issues passed to them by the tutor.

 

The Assistant Principal with responsibility for homework along with the CLT are responsible for:

 

· Overseeing the monitoring of homework and its marking by the CTL who will provide quality assurance evidence. The setting and marking of homework across the College will be monitored regularly by checking student planners during tutor time, lesson observations and learning walks, checking lesson plans and staff planners during monitoring periods and liaising with CTLs about homework issues that arise.

· Discussing homework with students when focus groups are interviewed.

· Providing facilities and resources within the College to help students complete homework and have a comfortable place to do it.

· Supporting teachers and curriculum areas with clear sanctions for students who fail to complete homework.

· Establishing training priorities to maintain standards.

 

 

January 2008