Homework policy

HOMEWORK

Practice, Project work, Planning and Preparation

This Policy was accepted and adopted by governors on 25^th September 2008

Statement

Homework is a positive tool in supporting effective teaching and learning and the principles of Every Child Matters.

Definition

Homework is planned work which students complete outside of teaching time; it should be varied between its component elements, specifically: practice, project and or course-work, planning and preparation. Homework should not prevent students from participating in events after school such as sport, music, clubs or religious observances.

Purposes

The purposes of homework are:

to support the aims of the school in helping to raise student achievement and attainment;
to encourage students to develop the confidence and self-discipline to work on their own, an essential skill for adult life;
to consolidate and reinforce skills and understanding;
to extend school learning, for example through additional reading;
to enable students to devote time to particular demands such as GCSE course-work or project work; and
to support the home/school relationship.

Principles

Suitable homework should be set for all students and in all subjects.
Homework topics should be planned for each subject, at least one term in advance. Parents will be informed of these plans at the beginning of term and should be aware that they might change.
Teaching staff will direct students to record homework in their planners and record non-completion in the planners.
Each homework task should be capable of completion within a reasonable time limit.
Homework should increase in duration and complexity as students proceed through the school.
Homework should be marked/assessed in line with the school's Assessment Policy.

Implementation Guidelines

Homework should be an agenda item for the first term of every curriculum meeting.
There should be a system of evaluation and sampling with the results reported back regularly to the Teaching & Learning Sub Committee by the senior colleague responsible for quality assurance in school.
Persistent non-performance should result in contact with parents by the most appropriate member of staff in school.
The plans should be available on the web-site; links to homework support will be available via the web-site.
Parental concerns about homework should follow the route of subject teacher to curriculum leader for the subject; to student achievement leader for relevant year group to senior colleague responsible for quality assurance.

Framework for Implementation

Short-term aims (by November 2008):

this document should follow consultation process via PSA, LPPA and Sixth Form Council to enable the policy to be ratified by the governors;
school to establish a policy on principles and purpose of assessment, including marking;
Teaching & Learning team to raise profile of quality homework.

Medium-term aims (by December 2008):

homework curriculum map set for the term ahead;
Quality assurance, including homework, to be a standing item on Teaching & Learning Sub Committee agenda;
homework principles in place.

Long-term aims (by September 2009):

annual homework curriculum plan;
homework clubs as part of extended schools agenda, including opportunities for parents/carers and students to work together, for example, parental invitation to homework club;
web-based homework support in place;
homework principles fully implemented;
review of this policy.

Allerton Grange High School

Homework policy