St Mary's Catholic Primary School
‘One family united in Christ to be the best we can be’
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Homework
What is homework?
Why is it set?
The purpose of homework at St. Mary's is:
- To provide opportunities for parents to be involved in children’s learning.
- To enable children to practise and consolidate skills.
- To broaden the context of learning and provide enrichment and extension.
- To enable children to take responsibility for their own learning, to become more independent and to develop their perseverance.
How can you help?
- Provide a quiet area where your child can work. It is helpful to switch off the TV to help concentration.
- Offer your help and support for younger children to complete tasks.
- Expect older children to work independently, but make it clear that you are there if needed.
- Encourage your child to complete homework on the day set, as the task will have just been explained. If they leave it until the day before it is due in, they may find that they need resources that they do not have to hand. The setting of homework several days in advance enables children to develop skills in organising their time. Younger children will need your support in moving towards this.
- Encourage your child to take pride in the presentation of their written work. Work should be handwritten by your child in a pencil or a suitable handwriting pen, unless directed otherwise by your child’s class teacher.
How can we help?
- By checking/signing homework books regularly.
- By setting homework which is linked directly to current teaching and learning activities.
- By being available to answer any questions you may have.
- By setting homework on the same day throughout the school and by having the same return date.
- By providing children with exercise books so they may refer back to previous learning.
Is homework compulsory?
The government recommends that children in key stage 1 do 10 minutes of homework a night; this stretches to 30 minutes a night for children in years 5 and 6. Whilst homework is not compulsory, it is strongly recommended that our following expectations are a model we all support. By supporting our homework guidance, we are ensuring that, through completing regular homework tasks, we are reinforcing key skills which will help children to move successfully towards completing their end of year targets. Additionally, it will also prepare children for their transition to upper school at the end of key stage 2. It promotes a sense of self discipline in using appropriate learning behaviours throughout school life.