Homework is an integral part of school work.  It should be given on four nights of the week as a rule and take no more than 30 minutes.  There may be occasions when homework is issued over the weekend but written work should be kept to a minimum.

Purpose:

• to revise, practice and consolidate classroom work
  

• to provide an opportunity for individualised work
  

• to provide an assessment opportunity for the class teacher and where another check can be made     
  

         on 'mastery of work'

• sound training discipline for pupils in organising their time
  

• top provide information for parents (home-school link) and opportunities to work with their   
  

         children.

• opportunities for parental co-operation and support
  

• to develop skills using other resources not available in school e.g. grandparents, catalogues etc.
  

• to fulfil the expectations of our parents, teachers and pupils.
  

Differentiation:

Differentiation of homework is an extension of good classroom practice:

• work for spelling, reading and mathematics will be according to group or individual programme
  

• expectation in terms of outcome will vary according to ability and degree of available support at home
  

Parents are encouraged to work with their children.

Range and Quantity of Homework:

• at P.1, 2 preparation of reading.  "What's New" - Consolidation of keywords, sounds and number work.  Occasionally pupils might be asked to find out something as part of topic work.  Parents may be asked to give extra help or practice if this is required.
  

• P.3-7 the following will be included.  The amount and content will vary according to age, ability and needs of the pupil spelling for 4 nights of the week, reading, revision and consolidation of mathematics, short piece of functional, imaginative or personal writing, simple research in preparation for topic study, competition entries, skill practice e.g. musical instrument, recitation etc., planning for a task
  

We aim to try and achieve a balance in the tasks set across all curricular areas.  Homework will generally be set for the next day although older pupils may be given a task for completion over several nights.  A high standard of presentation is required consistent with that of the classroom.

1. Where homework is not done or only partially completed it should be completed for the next appropriate working day.

2. A short, polite note to the parents on the jotter alerting them to the problem and seeking their co-operation hopefully will be sufficient.

3. Continuing difficulties should be reported to a member of the management team who will contact the parents involved.

Completed Homework:

1. Praise and encouragement should be offered.

2. If the whole class has completed set homework 10 points should be added to their 'weekly points'.

Extract from letter issued to parents as part of a regular monthly bulletin -

"We believe that homework is an important part of your child's learning.  We, therefore, set regular homework which we believe is useful and relevant to your son/daughter.  It often comprises reading, spelling and/or maths revision and consolidation.  Where a pupil has not done the set task the teacher will give further opportunities for it to be completed.  Please sign your child's homework jotter nightly (usually Mon. - Thurs.).  Our homework policy notes the purposes served by homework and include allowing practice and consolidation of class work, training pupils in planning and organising time, developing good habits of self-discipline and providing both information for yourselves and an opportunity to sit and work with your child offering support and encouragement.

A commonly asked question by parents is "What can we do to help?"  The most important things is simply to take an interest in your child's work.  Apart from trying to provide the correct time and place ask what has to be done and check his/her homework jotter.  Homework must be completed to the same high standards as classroom work.

It is also worth bearing in mind that methods can change from time to time.  Please contact the school as soon as possible as problems arise.

A reminder that we encourage the use of the SACAWAC METHOD WHEN LEARNING SPELLING i.e. SEE and COVER and WRITE and CHECK.

Homework Guidelines