What is the purpose of homework?

At Westlands, we believe that the purpose of homework is to encourage the development of key skills and our RADAR values, including those of resilience, achievement and aspiration.  Homework provides our students with further opportunities, beyond the school day, to retain and develop their knowledge and skills.   Homework has a positive impact on average (+5 month progress), particularly with pupils in secondary school.  

Why is homework important?

Homework provides opportunities for students to think, act and pursue their studies independently, while also improving their literacy and problem solving skills.  Although still supported by their teacher and resources, it allows students to take ownership of and develop a personal responsibility for learning.  Homework goes beyond just the task itself; it helps students take control of their workload and increase their time management skills.

Research further suggests that homework has the most positive impact on student learning when:

• It involves practice or rehearsal of subject matter already taught.
• It is done by the student to the best of their ability.
• Students have a quiet, designated place at home to complete homework.
• Students develop a routine for completing homework.
• Teachers plan for homework as an integral part of student learning.  

Homework Timetable
 

How will homework be set?

Teachers will upload instructions, materials and reminders to Google Classroom, acting as an online digital homework diary for students. Where possible, digital platforms will be used to set a variety of homework tasks, which will be posted to Google Classroom. Students need to click into each classroom to open their homework tasks.

KS3 Homework Timetable

We use a two week homework timetable at KS3. English, Mathematics and Science will be set weekly, with History, Geography, MFL, Reading and IT being set fortnightly.  The night below is the time we suggest students complete their homework, this timeable acts as a way to manage their time effectively.  Teachers will post homework to google classroom and clearly state when it is due.

Week	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
1	English	Maths	Reading History	Science	MFL
2	English	Maths	Geography	Science IT	Art

KS4 Homework Timetable

Subjects will set weekly homework.  The night below is the time we suggest students complete their homework, this timeable acts as a way to manage their time effectively.  Teachers will post homework to google classroom and clearly state when it is due. 

Year 10

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
English	Maths	History or Geography	Science	Options X and Y

Year 11

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
English	Maths	Option A	Science	Options B and C

KS5 Homework Expectations 

Sixth Form students are expected to have developed sufficient independent study and self-organisation skills to be able to manage their own workload.  Three hours of homework per subject will be set per week, varying between exam practice, research and retrieval practice. All homework should be clearly indicated on Google classroom under a 'homework' topic.

 

How is feedback given on homework?

Feedback is given in a variety of ways.

In the first instance, the score students receive from their homework is their feedback. This is usually from the online platform they are using.

Teachers will not annotate every piece of homework, teachers use the scores from the tasks to adapt lessons. This means that homework is used to identify gaps in learning, misconceptions and support progress.

 

Where can I get support and help with homework?

A homework club runs twice a week. Internet access and chromebooks are provided for students, asd well as a quiet place, supported by a member of staff.