Homework Policy

Introduction

The school believes that homework is a valuable and essential part of a pupil's learning. Homework will be set regularly and pupils encouraged to establish good homework habits from the beginning of their career at King Henry VIII School.

Homework refers to any work or activity which pupils are asked to undertake outside lesson time, either on their own or with their parents or carers. The nature, type and length of homework will vary according to the age of the pupil and the subject. It is important that homework forms a meaningful and coherent part of work for the particular subject.

The school recognises that pupils may be involved in a wide range of other valuable activities after school such as sport, music, drama and clubs of all kinds. This homework policy is designed to enable such activities to take place alongside the enhancement of academic study.

The Purpose of Homework

To encourage individual learning for pupils, to develop the skills, confidence and motivation needed to study effectively on their own.
To consolidate, reinforce skills and understanding developed in lessons and provides an opportunity to practise new skills and further develop knowledge.
To enable pupils to extend their school learning.
To manage the particular demands of examination work in Key Stage 4 and the Sixth Form.
To involve parents and carers in the management of pupils' learning and keeping them informed about the work pupils are doing.

The Nature of Homework

The nature and value of homework tasks is far more important than the precise amount of time devoted to them. The quality of homework set and produced is more important than the quantity.

Homework should be planned as an ongoing part of the scheme of work and must be relevant to the topic under study and the ability of the child.

Homework will take a variety of forms, these include Extended Homework Tasks, Learning or Memorising, Practical Work, Reading, Redrafting, Research, Revising, Solving, Watching and Writing.

Teachers will take particular care when setting homework for lower ability pupils. The Special Educational Needs Department will provide advice and practical assistance on homework to both teachers and pupils.

Management and Organisation of Homework

The school does not have a fixed homework timetable with time allocated for different subjects on different evenings. Teachers will always allow a reasonable amount of time for homework to be completed. Pupils will need to manage their time so that they do some homework each evening.

The amount of homework expected from pupils will gradually increase as they move through the school. The precise time will vary with the nature of the work and the working habits of the individual pupil. As a guide in Year 7, pupils should expect to spend a minimum time on homework of about 30 minutes per subject per week. By year 9 pupils should expect to spend a minimum of around 45 minutes per subject each week giving a total of between 5 and 6 hours. In years 10 and 11 pupils can expect to spend between 1 and 2 hours on homework each night, giving a total of 6 to 8 hours during a week. Pupils in the Sixth Form are expected to be responsible for their own work and as a guide a typical pupil should spend between 14 and 18 hours each week working outside taught lesson time.

Each pupil will be supplied with a pre-printed Homework Planner in which to record homework. Form Tutors are responsible for issuing the Planner and for monitoring its use. Tutors will check and sign homework planners on a regular basis, normally each week. Form Tutors will alert their Head of Year if homework is not being set according to school policy. The Head of Year will then inform the appropriate Head of Faculty.

Heads of Faculty are responsible for monitoring the setting of homework across their Faculty. The prime responsibility for the nature and quality of homework remains with the Heads of Departments.

Pupils have the opportunity to take advantage of facilities at school to assist in the completion of homework. The School Library is open and professionally staffed throughout the school day.

Once a week Heads of Year will be responsible for using the Sleuth system to identify any pupils who have problems completing homework across the curriculum and thus take appropriate action. The prime responsibility for the dealing with non-completion of homework within a subject remains with the individual teacher and the Head of Departments.

Teachers' Responsibilities

Teachers will set homework set regularly.
Homework that is set will form a meaningful and coherent part of work for the particular subject.
Teachers will not set homework to be completed for the next day, but will give pupils at least two days to complete the homework.
Subject Teachers will ensure that Homework Planners are used effectively in their lesson.
Homework will be checked and where appropriate assessed by the teacher setting it as promptly as possible. Any assessed Homework will be marked and feedback given to the pupil within a maximum of 10 school days.
Teachers should ensure pupils complete homework satisfactorily. When a pupil fails to complete homework to a satisfactory standard a yellow card punishment will be given to the pupil and the details recorded on the Sleuth system.

Pupil Responsibilities

The prime responsibility for completing homework lies with the individual pupil.
Pupils should always carry their Homework Planners with them.
Pupils should record that homework has been set even if they have written it in detail in their exercise book.
Pupils must keep deadlines.
If pupils are absent, they need to find out what work has been missed and catch up on it. Being away on the day that homework is set is not an excuse for not doing it.
Problems with homework should be resolved before the deadline. If necessary pupils should see the member of staff concerned for help.
Pupils should take a pride in doing their best.

Role of Parents

Parents should support pupils with their homework but accept that their role will become less and less important as pupils become more responsible and independent.
Parents should make it clear to pupils that they value homework and support the school in explaining how it can help them to progress.
Parents should encourage pupils and praise them when homework is completed.
Parents should encourage pupils to meet homework deadlines.
Parents should try and provide a reasonable place where pupils can work or encourage them to make use of the school's facilities.
Parents should check and sign the Homework Planner once a week.
Parents are encouraged to use the Homework Planner to inform staff of any issues regarding homework.
If parents feel that insufficient or too much homework is being set, they should contact the tutor who will investigate the situation.

The Homework Pledge

King Henry VIII School guarantees that:

Homework will be set regularly
A newsletter detailing the homework tasks you should expect your child to receive will be published at the start of each term
Pupils will have a minimum of 48 hours to complete any piece of homework
All homework will be checked and returned to the pupil within 10 school days
Departments will be available every lunchtime to assist pupils who have difficulties with their homework every lunchtime
A Homework Club providing book and IT resources will be open to pupils

Arrangements for Monitoring and Evaluating the Policy

Heads of Department are responsible for monitoring the implementation of the homework policy in their departments. Heads of Year and their teams of tutors maintain an overview by monitoring homework planners and the experience of pupils in the Year Group.

Homework is also subject to regular monitoring and evaluation by the Leadership Team as part of their wider role for quality assurance.

The school values comments and suggestions on the implementation of the policy from parents and pupils.

Summaries of this homework policy will be included in the School Prospectus, School Website, Staff Handbook and in other appropriate documents. A full copy is available to all parents upon request.

This policy will be evaluated and reviewed by the end of the academic year 2008-09. Any amendments will be made and the updated policy will be implemented September 2009.

First published: September 2008