Holywell Primary and Nursery School
Homework
Homework refers to any learning activity set by teachers that pupils undertake outside of school lesson time, either on their own or with the support of family members.
The current research findings in this area suggest that children’s achievement is positively impacted by homework, albeit not significantly. The Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) currently suggests that children can make an additional 5 months progress in a year when completing homework regularly. In the research article, the EEF explains that ‘The broader evidence base suggests that short focused tasks or activities which relate directly to what is being taught, and which are built upon in school, are likely to be more effective than regular daily homework’ (Education Endowment Foundation, updated August 2021).
Aims
As a school, we have taken the above research findings in to consideration; re-shaping our homework offer in the process. When setting homework, our aims are:
- To consolidate and reinforce learning done in school, through recall and retrieval
- To support pupils in maintaining and developing the skills of an independent learner
- To promote cooperation between home and school in supporting a child's learning
Types of Homework
The homework we set focuses on developing key skills including:
- Reading fluency and comprehension
- Spelling
- Recall of number and times table facts
- Key curriculum knowledge
Intervention homework may be set for individuals or small group of children who would benefit from tailored or additional practice to close any gaps in learning.
Homework Expectations
We encourage children to complete ‘little and often’ practice activities to support their learning in school:
Nursery
- Story sack to share.
- 10-minute phonics activity upon commencement of RWI.
Reception
- Reading 3 times per week (beginning with phonics activities until children progress on to books).
- 10-minute number facts activity.
Key Stage 1
- Reading 3 times per week.
- 10-minute number facts activity (primarily Numbots).
- 10-minute spelling activity (when introduced).
Lower Key Stage 2
- Reading 5 times per week.
- 10-minute number facts activity (primarily TTRS).
- 10-minute spelling activity.
Upper Key Stage 2
- Reading 5 times per week.
- 15-minute number facts activity (primarily TTRS).
- 10-minute spelling activity.
- Activities to support in class learning.
- In Year 6, number facts and spelling activities will be replaced by two, 30-minute SATS Bootcamp activities from the spring term.
In Years 1 to 6, students receive knowledge organisers at the beginning of each unit, detailing the broader curriculum content covered in class. Families are encouraged to engage in discussions with their children about this material to enrich their learning experience. If families choose to do so, they can undertake optional projects and share them with school. These projects might involve presenting photos from a museum visit, creating a model or designing a poster. While these supplementary activities will be acknowledged and celebrated at school, participation in them is entirely optional.
Homework will not be set during school holidays.
We focus on positive reinforcement by rewarding those who complete homework, rather than imposing consequences on those who do not. Completion of homework will be recorded by class teachers each week to track engagement. Children who have not completed their homework will be encouraged to do so. Non-completion will be discussed with parents as necessary, including at parents’ evening and as part of the end-of-year reports.
Homework completion will be rewarded in various ways that may vary depending on the needs of the class:
- Reward points and/or stickers upon completion.
- Numbots stickers as children progress through the levels.
- TTRS and Numbots certificates weekly for recognised players.
- Epraise pointe for homework completion.
Role of Parents and Carers
Parents and carers have a vital role to play in their child's education and homework is an important part of this process. We ask parents and carers to encourage their child to complete the homework tasks set. We invite parents and carers to help their children as and when they feel it to be necessary. Parents and carers are expected to record the reading their child completes at home and sign their child’s diary weekly. If parents and carers have any questions about homework, they should contact their child's class teacher in the first instance.
Online Safety
As many of our homework task are set via online platforms, our children’s safety on the internet is paramount. Please visit our Online Safety policy on the policies page. We advise parents and carers to always supervise their child’s access to the internet.