Bellenden Primary School Homework Policy
This policy is intended to ensure that:
- Home learning helps inform parents about the learning happening in class.
- Home learning offers further stimulation and enthusiasm for learning.
- Home learning encourages opportunities to rehearse key skills: learning times tables, doubling, number facts, spelling, handwriting and key facts.
- Home learning helps foster good organisational habits which is good preparation for the demands of secondary school.
What is homework?
Homework is defined as any work or activity which pupils are asked to do at home (either on their own or with parents or carers.)We view homework as a way of developing the partnership between school and home.
Our expectations
- Homework should be enjoyable and manageable for all concerned.
- Pupils complete all homework set and hand it in on time.
- EY and KS1 pupils read aloud to an adult daily, and parents sign the reading records.
- Ks2 read daily at home and complete their reading journals weekly.
Provision
| Phase group | Activity |
| Early years | Reading books sent home; wow moments sent home for parents to complete. Please see the Early Years leader for more information regarding home learning in the Early Years. |
| Ks1 | Daily reading; spellings and maths facts to learn; weekly literacy and numeracy homework.
|
| Ks2 | Daily reading and a weekly reading journal to complete; times tables and maths facts to learn; weekly literacy and numeracy homework. |
Days homework is handed out
Year one
| Type of homework | Day handed out | Day of test/ Day homework needs to be returned. |
| Maths homework | Friday | Monday |
| Literacy homework | Friday | Monday |
| Spellings | Friday | Friday |
| Reading journals | Friday | Friday |
Year two
| Type of homework | Day handed out | Day of test/ Day homework needs to be returned. |
| Maths homework | Friday | Wednesday |
| Literacy homework | Friday | Wednesday |
| Spelling | Friday | Wednesday |
| Reading journals | Friday | Wednesday |
Year three
| Type of homework | Day handed out | Day of test/ Day homework needs to be returned. |
| Maths homework | Thursday | Tuesday |
| Literacy homework | Thursday | Tuesday |
| Spelling | Thursday | Tuesday |
| Reading journal | Thursday | Tuesday |
Year four
| Type of homework | Day handed out | Day of test/ Day homework needs to be returned. |
| Maths homework | Friday | Tuesday |
| English homework | Friday | Tuesday |
| Spellings | Friday | Tuesday |
| Reading | Friday | Tuesday |
Year five
| Type of homework | Day handed out | Day of test/ Day homework needs to be returned. |
| Maths homework | Friday | Wednesday |
| Literacy homework | Friday | Wednesday |
| Reading journals | Wednesday | Monday |
| Spellings | Tuesday | The following Tuesday |
| Times tables | Friday | Thursday |
Year six – * please note revision homework may also be sent home. Parents will be texted when extra homework is sent home.
| Type of homework | Day handed out | Day of test/ Day homework needs to be returned. |
| Maths homework | Friday | Monday |
| English homework | Friday | Monday |
| Reading journal | Monday | Following Monday |
| Handwriting | Daily | |
| Reading record | Daily |
If children are absent due to illness, we will not send homework home as we would assume that the child was too ill to work. If a child is absent for a length of time (e.g. with a broken leg), the teacher and parent will agree what should be done, how it should be marked and what sort of support will need to be given. In such circumstances, the teacher should consult the Headteacher first.
It is not possible to give homework when parents take holidays in term time – as this is strongly discouraged and holidays will not be authorised.
The Role of Parents
It is vital that parents display a positive attitude to homework and value its importance. Parents should ensure activities are completed and returned to school. Parents should also encourage their children to take more responsibility for organising their homework as they get older.
If parents have any problems or questions about the homework, they should in the first instance contact the child’s class teacher. If they cannot resolve the matter, they should then contact the headteacher.
Feedback to homework
Homework will be reviewed regularly and feedback given to pupils. If homework is consistently not completed, parents will be informed. Pupils may be asked to do their homework during lunchtimes if it is not completed.
Homework during school holidays
During the school holidays, pupils are still expected to read daily and in KS2, pupils are expected to complete reading journals. It is up to the individual teacher’s discretion whether homework will be set during school holidays – and parents will be informed by text if homework is being set. If homework is not set, there are many online activities which pupils can complete at home. Please ask your child’s class teacher for more details.
April 2017