EastBergholt CEVC Primary School    Home Learning Policy    Prepared by: Alison Cole (Acting Headteacher) January 2013 Approved by Governing Body Curriculum Committee: Signed: _______________ (Chair of the Curriculum Committee) Date: _______________ Aims of the policy It is intended that this policy will provide clear guidance for the setting of homework. It has been produced in collaboration with the teaching staff, pupils, governors and parents of East Bergholt CEVC Primary School. The document is to be reviewed every two years by teaching staff following consultation with parents, pupils and the governing body. Rationale for setting homework    We believe that an enjoyable, organised homework programme gives children the skills and self-motivation that will help them become life-long, independent learners. We acknowledge the important role homework plays in developing home/school links, giving parents an insight into the curriculum and promoting family learning while developing fluency in the basic skills. Parents, pupils and school recognise their commitment to homework as outlined in the home school agreement. Our School’s Good practice   Homework activities are directly linked to the curriculum and complement current and future learning in the class room. Homework activities are motivating and engaging. Homework activities are collaborative i.e. they should be shared, discussed and completed with an adult at home as a means of connecting key parties in a child’s learning (parent/carer – child – school) Children are rewarded for the effort and progress shown in homework tasks. When and How Homework is set   Homework is set on a Friday and handed in on a Wednesday throughout the school, allowing time for families to complete tasks but not necessarily over the weekend. Talk homework will be set as it best complements each class but families will have two evenings to complete the task. Children are supplied with a homework book. The teacher will communicate the homework in the book (Appendix 1) and recorded tasks must be completed in the book. Homework tasks are also communicated with parents on the school’s Learning Platform (Virtual Learning Environment - VLE) using Appendix 1. Appendix 1 makes it clear to parents and pupils:            a. what the task is and how it will be used in class            b. what the parent’s role in the homework is            c. what the child’s role in the homework is            d. what the expected learning objective is Parents must sign the bottom of Appendix 1 to confirm the task was completed. Some homework tasks will be set to be completed online (such as Mathletics) or saved in the class’s shared area of the VLE. For pupils and families who are not online, alternative tasks will be set by the classteacher. (Note – if financial circumstances are preventing access to the internet, parents should consult the Headteacher) Feedback on Homework Tasks   Feedback on homework will be given in accordance with the school’s “Marking and Feedback Policy 2012” Verbal feedback and the use of a task within future lessons have the greatest impact on learning outcomes. Recorded homework will be marked in accordance with the “Marking and Feedback Policy 2012”. Half termly projects will not be marked but will be used and displayed in class. Children will be given the opportunity to respond to marked homework (My Response Is – MRI) in school before subsequent tasks are set. Some children may be given MRIs to be completed at home. Approximate Time to be spent on set (not daily) homework tasks.           Year R and Year 1 – Maximum half an hour         Year 2 – Maximum half an hour per task         Years 3 and 4 – Maximum 3/4 of an hour per task         Years 5 and 6 – Maximum 1 hour per task What homework tasks will children be given? Year Groups Tasks and Frequency   All Year Groups Daily READING with a parent/carer which must be recorded in the Home-School reading diary. Read to and with your child. Model reading (and writing) by reading your own books as they read or showing them how you use writing. Weekly TARGETS practice. Maths and English targets are communicated on homework task sheets. Parents should practise targets with their child in a variety of contexts. Teachers will also need to see evidence of targets being achieved in class before they are updated. HALF TERMLY THEME PROJECT. In the last two weeks of a half term, teachers will set a project linked to their theme to be handed in at the end of the half term (homework below will not be set., apart from year 6 where additional tasks may be Year R and Year 1 One of these tasks per week. Reading or phonics task set from guided reading or phonics sessions. Talk task. This will include talk before a writing task, or a maths problem. Years 2 - 6 Maths/Mathletics task once a week to develop fluency in basic maths skills. Phonics or Spelling task once a week - set by phase phonics teacher as appropriate. A purposeful talk task, linked to the theme, developing a specific line of enquiry once a week. (Could involve note taking for a writing task or an aural task) A research, pre-reading or investigation task once a week.  Differentiation   Each task will be designed by the class teacher in accordance with a child’s age and ability. If parents find that children are finding tasks too challenging or not challenging enough, this should be communicated to the class teacher. What if a child does not complete homework tasks? We recognise that there are a number of factors which contribute to children being unable to complete homework tasks, including lack of parental support; therefore, children will not be punished for not completing homework. However, we will emphasise to the children that it is important that they should always attempt the task set as it will support their learning in class. For Upper key Stage 2 children the regular completion of homework is a necessary step towards Prefect status. If parents wish for advice regarding supporting their child with homework they should speak to the class teacher in the first instance.

Appendix 1 - Years R, 1 Appendix 1- Years 2-6