Homework

All Students Are Encouraged to Learn Independently
The student homepage gives students (and families) access to the subject home pages. Most subjects have tasks online or links to external sites that enable students to do their own research and practice their skills.

There are also website links to MyMaths and SAM Learning which mean that homework can always be done every evening. Each student has a password for SAM Learning which is their date of birth followed by their initials. In addition, there are sites such as BBC Bitesize which provide useful work, skills practice and information.

Subject staff will always give students guidance on independent learning for their subject. This type of work is highly recommended in KS3, and essential at GCSE, for students who are capable of achieving high grades.

If a student fails to complete three pieces of homework in a subject over a half term, then an after school detention will be set by their class teacher.

Students’ Responsibilities:

• To record all homework set in their planner;
• To complete all homework set to a good standard and to submit it on time;
• To seek clarification/help (if needed) before the deadline.

Teachers’ Responsibilities:

• To set homework according to the homework timetable;
• To ensure deadlines are clear to all students;
• To differentiate homework where necessary;
• To ensure that homework is marked.

Parents’ Responsibilities:

• To take an active role to ensure all homework is completed as set;
• To provide a suitable environment for completion of all homework;
• To monitor homework and sign student planners weekly.

Students with learning difficulties may do less homework. Our Inclusion and Diversity department will give advice and support to students and families on this. Students who are capable of achieving high grades should plan to spend more time on homeworks, especially those which help to develop their independent learning skills.

Subject teachers and tutors work closely with students to create personal homework timetables. We encourage families to:

• Check the planner regularly and use the school website for further guidance
• Go to the student home page where many homework tasks and subject procedures are detailed and updated regularly
• Make use of the school website links to SAM Learning, MyMaths etc
• Contact the House Leader for guidance if you feel too much or too little homework is being set or done. The House Leader will work out personal homework timetables as appropriate

English, Mathematics, Science, MFL and History set homework weekly. Subject teachers will give details of the set days in the student planner. Other subjects set homework over longer periods of time. Further details are as follows:

English
A project each term with detailed tasks and extension work all available from the department website. Most students will be expected to spend around one hour per week on this (medium tasks)

Maths
Short tasks set after each lesson (usually 15-20 mins in length) Longer tasks set 3 or 4 times per half term

Science
Medium tasks set once or twice a week (usually 30 mins)

History
Medium tasks set once or twice a week (usually 30 mins)

MFL
Short tasks set once per week (20mins Y7 - 40 mins Y9)

Geography
Extended tasks set (1-2 hours), 2 per half term

Art
Medium tasks set once per fortnight (30 mins)

Technology
A4 Design research assignments (16) through the year (30 mins)

Food Technology
Preparation of ingredients every two weeks and termly online tasks

Textiles Technology
3 research and design tasks (online) set during the course

ICT
Short tasks set each lesson (plus some extended work)

RE
Short task set each week (plus some extended work)

Music
Project based tasks on the half termly topic

Homework is not set in Drama, PE and PHSE.

Short and medium tasks should be handed in at the next lesson with the same teacher. Deadlines for longer and extended tasks will be written in the student planner. All homeworks contribute to the termly assessment grades. Regular completion of homework earns ‘merit points’. Failure to complete homework leads to ‘de-merits’ (loss of merit points) and if on a regular basis further sanctions.

Please note:

• Subjects do vary their pattern from time to time depending on the type of work being done in the lesson. Please use the pattern above as a guide only.
• The Curriculum Digests, published on line in late September, provide further details of the curriculum and assessment procedures for each subject.