Policies - Home Learning
Staff agreed: March 2010
Governors ratified: June 2010
Review date: March 2012
‘A good, well-managed home learning program helps children and young people to develop the skills and attitudes they will need, for successful lifelong learning. Home learning also supports the development of independent learning skills, and provides parents with an opportunity to take part in their child's education.’
- This policy reflects the school's values and philosophy in relation to teaching and learning. It sets out a framework within which staff can operate and gives guidance on homework.
- This policy is intended for all teaching staff who will have their own copy. Governors will be offered a copy and further copies will be available for parents and inspection teams from the Head Teacher.
- The school policy for home learning reflects the consensus of opinion of the governors and teaching staff.
AIMS
- To provide the child with an experience of Home learning, which is both valid and stimulating.
- To enable the child to gain confidence in their learning. Thus providing inspiration and motivation to succeed.
Objectives:
- To provide an enjoyable and purposeful supplement to class work.
- To provide opportunity for the child to practise what has been learnt in class, including the development of the basic skills e.g. tables, spellings, independent research skills.
- To provide a practical opportunity for parents to become involved in the academic development of their child.
- To provide a practical opportunity for the child to begin to take responsibility for organising their own workload.
What is home learning?
Home learning is not necessarily written work. It is any task that a child is asked to complete at home. It may consist of reading or learning facts by heart. It may also be reinforcement of class work, further practice of skills learnt in class or research/project work.
Good primary school practice requires that we give credence to other developmental needs of the child. At Henley we appreciate the value of extra curricular activities, (sport, music, dancing, drama, the uniformed groups and other hobbies). These out-of-school achievements are celebrated in weekly Celebration Assemblies where children can bring in certificates, medals and information about their interests.
As a school we must work together with parents and guardians as a partnership, expanding the curriculum, extending it to the home and building on experiences shared outside school.
Staff are expected to work towards this aim by:
- providing each child with a homework book, where aspects of home learning may be completed
- providing a range of homework tasks and activities to consolidate learning in class
- ensuring the child has a clear understanding of the tasks involved
Pupils are expected to work towards this aim by:
- taking responsibility for handing in the completed task on the agreed day
- taking pride in presentation and content
- being organised so that necessary books and equipment are not left at school or home
- using the homework club when necessary
Parents are expected to work towards the schools aims by:
- providing suitable quiet surroundings i.e. not in front of the television
- encouraging their child to persevere with a task even if it seems daunting at first, and giving support if necessary
- giving due importance to non-written tasks such as hearing reading and assisting in the learning of times tables and weekly spellings
- keeping the staff informed of any changes in the child's circumstances which may affect their learning
Home learning Guidelines:
Home learning is given to provide positive reinforcement of work done in school. It is seen as a definite need and not as a time-filler. Home learning is considered an integral part of the curriculum. It enriches and consolidates, develops research skills and cultivates the mind to nurture the seeds of knowledge.
For this discipline to be of value it is important that work be handed in on time.
It is up to the individual class teacher as to whether homework is set during half term holidays, but it must be relevant and of a light touch.
N.B HOMEWORK WILL NOT BE SET DURING CHRISTMAS OR EASTER HOLIDAYS
Recommended weekly amounts:
Henley in Arden Church of England School follows the Government’s guidelines for homework-
Reception |
Years 1 and 2 |
Years 3 and 4 |
Years 5 and 6 |
Parents will be advised at the ‘Meet the Teacher’ Evening during the Summer Term of the home learning expectations of the class teacher. They will also be given details of ways in which they may be asked to assist the child at home.
Reception
Home learning will usually involve the practice of basic skills, such as reading and recognising key words.
Children are provided with a reading diary in which the parents are invited to write comments. As part of the whole school reading challenge, children are ideally expected to read to an adult at least 3 times per week.
Year One and Year Two:
Home learning will usually involve the practice of basic skills, such as reading, spellings, times tables and relevant literacy, numeracy and Science worksheets or games.
Each child is provided with a homework book. They are also provided with a separate reading diary in which the parents are invited to write comments. As part of the whole school reading challenge, children are ideally expected to read to an adult at least 3 times per week. There will be many times when children will be asked to collect and bring in topic related items or books for contribution to projects. Specific research tasks may be set for Year 2.
Years Three, Four, Five and Six
Home learning will usually involve the practice of basic skills, such as reading, spellings and times tables. It could also include relevant literacy, numeracy and cross curriculum work or games.
Each child is provided with a homework book. Years Three and Four are also provided with a separate reading diary in which the parents are invited to write comments. It is desirable and important that every child frequently reads at home. It is important that parents monitor their child's reading. As part of the whole school reading challenge, children in Key Stage Two are ideally expected to read to an adult at least 3 times per week. In Years 5 and 6, the children may also be set a weekly reading challenge to increase the quantity they read.
Research work or special project assignments may be set to reinforce topics being studied in school. These may well be ongoing over a longer period of time; emphasis will be on research skills, presentation, illustration time management and punctuality.
For those children who are unable to complete homework at home, there is an opportunity for them to complete it in school. A homework club is available on Monday and Wednesday lunchtimes from 12.30-1.00 in the Year Five classroom. An adult is always present to offer help and support if necessary.
