Homework - Guidance for Families

All exam subjects set homework and most Key Stage 3 subjects set homework too. We do it because it extends the time students are learning our subject, it also extends and consolidates what has been learned in class.

Homework gives our students the time to practise and apply skills at their own pace; it allows students and teachers to see whether classroom learning has been understood and it helps students prepare for future lessons. Finally, it helps develop independent learning skills needed for success in school, higher education and the workplace.

A recent study by the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) suggested that good homework added 5 months learning to a secondary student’s exam potential. We therefore insist that, for their own benefit, all Preston Manor students’ complete homework to the best of their ability.

What homework is set?

Based on current good practice and previous DfE guidance, we endeavour to follow this guidance on the amount of time that we would advise our students to spend on their homework or self-directed study.
These guidelines are listed below:

Year 7 & 8	Approximately 90 minutes per day
Year 9	Approximately 90 minutes– 2 hours per day
Year 10 & 11	Approximately 90 minutes– 2.5 hours per day
Year 12 & 13	Good practice is that at least one hour per subject per day is completed

Teachers set homework that allows students to practise, extend, apply or embed their classwork in the subject. The bullet points below include examples of the kind of homework your child may be set:

Embed – consolidate learning that has taken place in the classroom, e.g. revision for assessment or learning key knowledge.
Practise – refine knowledge and procedures learnt in the classroom based on feedback from the teacher, e.g. RRD (green pen) activities.
Extend – move learning beyond what has been achieved in the classroom, e.g. adding breadth to their existing knowledge.
Apply – use learning from the classroom to complete a specific task, e.g. writing a practice exam question based on content covered in a lesson.

How will homework be marked?

All homework tasks will be acknowledged by the teacher. This can be done in a variety of ways, such as:

Marked by the teacher
Peer/self-assessment
By testing

Different departments have their own systems for providing feedback on homework.

What are the school sanctions for incomplete or missing homework?

For ALL Key Stages, where homework is not completed or the work produced demonstrates insufficient effort the student will be instructed to attend the Study Support session (recorded by the subject teacher on SIMS and in the student’s planner). If the homework is not subsequently completed to the standard expected, a 60 minute detention will be issued.

Persistent homework offenders in Key Stage 3 and 4 may be offered interventions such as the Student Learning Centre (SLC) homework club to help them get on top of homework. ‘A’ level students who fail to complete homework over an extended period may be placed on a SSP for close monitoring.

As a parent, how can I support my child’s homework?

Families can support their children by encouraging them to set goals, plan, and manage their time, effort, and emotions.

This type of support can help children to regulate their own learning and will often be more valuable than direct help with homework tasks.

create a regular routine and encourage good homework habits, but be cautious about direct assistance with homework (particularly for older children).
checking and signing their planner every week;
support your child with planning and organising their time;
providing the necessary equipment needed for the completion of home-learning tasks;
providing a suitable working environment for your child to complete homework tasks which includes encouraging them to avoid distractions such as mobile phones and console games
encouraging them to attend Study Support if a suitable space is not available at home;
encouraging and monitoring homework and by informing the DSD if an issue arises.

In order to ensure that all our students have the opportunity to work on their home learning in a well-resourced and supportive environment, Study Support runs every day in the LRC after school, 3:15pm - 4:00pm Monday - Thursday and 3:30pm - 4:00pm on Friday.

This is supervised by a member of the teaching staff who will aim to support students in their understanding of the work they are undertaking. Subject and Year team specialist staff aim to drop into the LRC to offer additional support.