Homework

The aim of our home learning policy is to promote learning beyond the school day as an essential part of a good education. We believe that learning at home not only reinforces classroom learning, it also helps children and young people to develop skills and attitudes that they need for successful lifelong learning. It should support the development of independent learning skills, including the habits of enquiry and investigation, and should help to foster the role of parents as co-educators of their children.

We have recently revised our homework to reflect feedback from parents and children. For the first half of each term the children will be set a homework project to complete at home with parental support. The project will have suggested weekly tasks that will contribute to the final outcome. The tasks will build and develop skills that the children are learning in school. The completed project will then be bought into school and will be shared with the rest of the class. Parents will be invited to join in with our homework sharing sessions.

For the second half of each term homework will focus on reading, spelling – using the Spelling Shed and learning times tables supported by Times Tables Rockstars. KS2 classes may set some additional homework as and when appropriate.

Current homework tasks for each class can be found on the individual class pages: Robin, Sparrow, Owl, Nightingale and Falcon

Reading

Regular reading is vital and all primary age children should be reading and listening to others read at home regularly. For pupils in the Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1 home learning will largely consist of regular reading with parents and looking at books together; it may also involve practising phonics or new sight vocabulary. It is recommended that children in the Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1 spend at least 10 minutes each day reading. Parents should also exploit other reading opportunities, for example, reading out signs or notices on the way to school or at the supermarket.

It is equally important that children in Key Stage 2 either read to parents, listen to their parents read to them or, if they are fluent readers, read on their own for approximately 15 to 20 minutes most days. Discussion about the content of what has been read is essential at both key stages, to ensure that children are engaging with the text. As children become more independent readers they should be encouraged to read a wide variety of different types of text. This may, for example, be reading a reference book for a history project, a newspaper, atlas or dictionary.

The purpose of the ‘Home Learning Diary’ is to maintain a regular dialogue between parents and school. Parents are encouraged to comment about their child’s reading and how they have coped with the work which has been set for completing at home.

Teacher, Pupil, and Parent Responsibilities

Teachers will ensure that:

• Home learning tasks are sent home as appropriate
• Pupils understand the purpose of the tasks
• Pupils understand how their home learning consolidates, extends or prepares for work in school

Pupils will ensure that:

• They take home their Home Learning Diary and other necessary resources to be able to complete tasks, e.g., reading book
• They understand the task to be completed
• Work is completed to their highest standard

At Langenhoe Primary School such tasks are voluntary.

Parents will ensure that:

• A peaceful and suitable place is available in which pupils can do their home learning tasks
• Dedicated time is given by them to support their child with their home learning
• Children know that they value school work completed at home and support the school in explaining how it can help their learning
• Encouragement and praise is given to their child when completing home learning activities