The evidence of the importance of homework in helping students at secondary school be successful is clear. Numerous studies have shown over time that homework, done regularly, helps students make progress in their learning whatever their prior attainment. This links to the latest research on how we learn that shows that regular repetition of new learning is essential to move things into our long-term memory. This ability to learn new skills is going to be essential for all of our young people as the world of work continues to evolve.
Teachers will record the homework on My Child at School and parents can see when the work was set and when it is due to be handed in.
Because of the overwhelming evidence about the importance of homework to student achievement, we need to make sure that every student completes every piece of homework set. Most students do this already. For those who do not, there will be regular after school catch up sessions called Study Support supervised by teachers where students will complete their homework and any classwork they have not finished.
The first time a student forgets their homework, they will be given an opportunity to get it completed by the next lesson. After this, teachers will refer students to Study Support to get homework completed. Study Support takes place after school. If a student misses one or more homework, their teacher/teachers will book them into Study Support. They must then turn up and complete all the homework due in that Study Support session. Some teachers might also keep students in at break or lunch to complete homework.
Study Support runs for 30 minutes. The aim is to make sure work is done on time in order to build the important lifelong skills of organisation and resilience that students will need once they leave school. Parents will be contacted and told when their child has been booked into a Study Support session and students will be reminded to turn up on the morning of their detention.
If a student refuses to attend Study Support, they will be booked into a senior Study Support session for an hour. Failure to attend this session will lead to more serious consequences.
We are monitoring the type and quality of homework being set this year to ensure it has the maximum impact on learning and achievement. Each homework should normally be about 30-45 minutes in years 7-9 and may be longer at GCSE. We recommend that a student spend about an hour on homework in years 7-9 and between one hour and two hours on homework at GCSE level, five evenings a week, in order to achieve the right kind of balance between study and pursuing other interests.
We understand that sometimes things get in the way of normal routine. Please just write a note for your child to give to their teacher or e-mail their teacher to explain that it was not completed.
Parental encouragement for, and interest in, older children’s learning is more important than direct involvement.
Here is a link to some useful resources that will help you support your child’s learning.
Homework is a key tool to help students learn. Research shows that in order to learn things effectively, it is vital that we go over things again and again and that we need to revisit the things we learn at regular intervals in order to ensure they move into our long term memory. The diagram below illustrates the importance of regular, spaced repetition in helping us remember things.
Bjork Learning and Forgetting Lab
If you would like to discuss the school’s homework policy, please feel free to contact Mr Goddard.
