I started on my homeworkbut my pen ran out of ink.My hamster ate my homework.My computer's on the blink.

I accidentally dropped itin the soup my mom was cooking.My brother flushed it down the toiletwhen I wasn't looking.

My mother ran my homeworkthrough the washer and the dryer.An airplane crashed into our house.My homework caught on fire.

Tornadoes blew my notes away.Volcanoes struck our town.My notes were taken hostageby an evil killer clown.

Some aliens abducted me.I had a shark attack.A pirate swiped my homeworkand refused to give it back.

I worked on these excusesso darned long my teacher said,"I think you'll find it's easierto do the work instead."• Kenn Nesbitt

What we have noticed in school…

Staff have noticed the following issues• Late homework• Questions about homework• Worrying about homework• Organisation and handing

in of homework• Presentation of homework• Great variation in time

spent and standards of homework

What we did…• Mrs Douglas did a

whole school assembly tackling these issues

• Celebrated great homework in assembly and rewarded discs

• Staff are recording homework on insight

Some great examples of homework

• Are on display

What you have told us so far

Parents have fed back the following issues:• Too much homework• Not enough homework• Students spending too

long on homework• Students struggling to

organise and prioritise homework

What we have done so far:Plan this evening…….We will come back to this at the end of the evening

You Said

We did

HOMEWORK

ObjectivesTo know why we set homework

To understand the different types of tasks we set and the challenges students face

Can identify ways in which school and parents can better support students in their homework

Why do we set homework?

• Raise achievement• Consolidate knowledge• Extend learning• Encourage curiosity and research skills• Develop lifelong independent learners• Develop study and work routines

What types of homework are set?

Short Tasks These should take no longer than 30 minutes.• Research: sometimes students are asked to write

something in their books, sometimes they are not. Staff will make this clear. This is normally to extend students knowledge from their lesson or to prepare pupils for next lesson.

• Written: answers to questions or other written tasks• Posters/Pictures: To summarise or consolidate

knowledge, extend artwork• Prepare presentations/speeches/video’s• Craft: To make a model, mask, wooden spoon puppet

etc…

Long Tasks• Projects: longer pieces of work that pupils need

to complete over a number of weeks• Booklets prepared on a particular topic• Prepare presentations/speeches/video’s• Craft: To make a model, mask, wooden spoon

puppet etc…• Revision

How much homework is set? Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

7a

Science History* Spanish

Design Drama*

English Maths Art

English Geography* Philosophy & Ethics*

Maths Science

7b

Science Spanish

Design Drama* Art

English Maths History*/ Geography*

English Philosophy & Ethics*

Maths Science

7c

Science History* Spanish

Drama* English Maths Design Art

English Geography* Philosophy & Ethics*

Maths Science

7d

Science History* Spanish

Design Drama*

English Maths Philosophy & Ethics* Art

English Geography

Maths Science

How is homework set and recorded

• Homework will be displayed by the teacher with a date due in lesson time.

• Homework should be recorded in the pupil planner as a first port of call. Teachers will give assistance if pupils need help writing it in.

• Teachers will also record homework on “Insight” which you can check and print out.

Insight

How is homework assessed?

• This will vary between subjects and different homework tasks.

What happens if homework is not done?

• Students receive 1 chance, this is normally written in the pupil planner

• If homework is not completed by the next lesson a detention is set

• If this continues you will be contacted

BACK TO SCHOOLImagine you are in study support on

Wednesday after school.1. Use the cards to prioritise your

homework2. Choose one to complete now!

History: Complete all cartoons on sheet 13th Oct

Drama: Define physical theatre, how have I used it? 14th Oct

Spanish: Learn first column of blue vocab sheet 14th Oct

Science: Complete sheet and design cell (optional)

13th Oct

Spanish: Design an A4 leaflet/poster about Spanish festival Dia de la Hispanidad

14th Oct

English: Half hour on sonnet 13th Oct

Geography: Complete 1 task p1-3 from booklet and advertising script 15th Oct

Art: Finish Portrait, see sketch book 15th Oct

Art: Nelson Mandela, research portrait pictures and write about them. Basic details

15th Oct

Maths: Complete sheet 13th Oct

How to support your child with their homework

Or how to turn this…

… to this

Why is it important for parents to be involved in homework?

Studies in Britain have shown that children who are supported by their families with homework are likely to perform significantly better in academic examinations at 16 years old and beyond than those who do not.

By showing an interest you are communicating the fact that school work is important and needs to be taken seriously.

Issues that students face with homework

• Organisation

• Prioritising tasks

• Understanding the tasks

• Focus & concentration

• Time management

• Quality work

How you can help

• Check your child’s planner and Insight every day

• Provide some space and time

• Get into a routine

• Use rewards

• Give time limits

• Limit the use of TV/electronic devices that sap time and focus!

Organising, prioritising and time management

How you can help

• Read through the instructions and help to get them started

• Encourage your child to talk to staff if ever unsure

• Check the end result for quality

• Test them – Spanish vocabulary, spellings, times tables etc

• Ask questions

• Encourage reading

Quality tasks

How you can help

• Have a homework folder

• Label the pieces of work with the child’s name, teachers name and due date

• Check all pieces are in the folder & school bag ready for the next day

Practicalities

We understand!

• Family life is very busy

• Good communication is vital

• It’s a joint effort

You Said, we did…………

• On your post it write down anything about homework which you would like to be addressed. Stick it to the board

• We will compile these and act upon them

• We aim to post our responses on the school website

You said

We did

Clearer instructions

Too much homework