Homework

Information taken from Jones: Homework with Impact.

Principles:

• Homework can impact positively on pupils’ overall attainment (DfE)
• Hattie reports a 0.64 positive impact for secondary pupils
• Pupils, parents and teachers have a common belief in the value of homework
• Homework should be manageable
• homework should reinforce classroom learning
• homework should be challenging but not too difficult
• homework should follow a pattern of frequency that pupils understand
• Pupils should understand the purpose of homework
• We must recognise that having prior knowledge and skills puts some pupils at and advantage when completing homework, whereas pupils who have less knowledge and skills take longer to complete homework
• When setting homework, we should make timing expectations explicit
• Certain types of homework tasks, namely practice tasks and preparation tasks, are more impactful than others.
• Creative, collaborative, and project-based tasks have limited impact on pupils’ long-term learning and achievement, particularly their mastery of subject knowledge and skills.
• Homework that involves activities that extend learning beyond the content taught in the lesson have less impact than practise of previously taught content, or preparation tasks, especially if those activities are distributed over time.
• When students spend too much time on homework – more than two hours each night – it takes up valuable time to rest and spend time with family and friends. A 2013 study found that high school students can experience serious mental and physical health problems, from higher stress levels to sleep deprivation, when assigned  too much homework (Galloway, Conner & Pope, 2013)

Walney School Homework Policy

• ALL subjects will set homework at least once a fortnight – all subjects have a contribution to make in training students how to learn and retrieve information.
• Homework tasks must be meaningful (not busy work).
• Homework tasks must be based around either practice/retrieval tasks which are on content already taught (at any time in the past), or on preparation tasks which help prepare the students for their next lesson.
• Homework tasks could include quizzes (written or electronic), reading, memorising key vocabulary, mind maps, self-quizzing, flashcards, writing short answers, short paragraphs, application of knowledge to exam questions, watching videos, etc.
• Most homework tasks will be marked by students themselves in the following lesson, so that they get immediate and meaningful feedback.
• KS3 will receive between 30 and 90 minutes per day
• KS4 will receive between 60 and 120 minutes per day
• Homework will be set on Edulink and recorded in student planners