Homework information

Why is homework important?

• Homework is the best opportunity for the school and the family to be connected.

• Homework helps to develop good study habits.

• Homework fosters positive attitudes towards school and a love for learning.

Furthermore, homework enables students to:

• Develop the skills and competencies required to become effective independent learners.

• Consolidates, reinforces and extends their existing skills and understanding.

The amount of homework

There are occasions when the routine programme of homework involves greater or lesser demands (e.g. the revision period for internal/external examinations).

As a general guide, we expect students in Year 7, Year 8 and Year 9 to complete a minimum of 30 minutes homework per subject per week. In Year 10 and Year 11, we would expect a minimum of one hour of homework per subject per week. If your son/daughter completes their homework before the allocated time, they should use this opportunity for wider reading by either developing their knowledge of that subject or reading for pleasure.

As a matter of course we expect all our students at Gillotts to recap and review the work from previous subject lessons in order that they are effectively prepared to progress their learning and maximise on their potential.

Helping with Homework - A parent's guide

You don’t have to be an expert to help your child with his/her homework but, by emphasising basic routines, you can give them the help and support they need to develop the ability to work independently. This becomes increasingly important as pupils progress through school towards their GCSE exams.

Here are a few questions to help you identify ways in which you can help your child.

Does your child have a quiet place at home in which to study?

Does (s)he begin his/her homework at a regular time every day?

Do you talk through the homework tasks set each each day? If your son/daughter can explain the task to you, (s)he is more likely to do it well.

Do you ask, sometimes, for worksheets to be read out and discussed? This is a good way to check understanding.

Do you check through, together, the finished work looking at presentation and accuracy? This includes underlining, layout, use of ruler, writing in proper sentences, checking spelling, punctuation and grammar.

Does your child read regularly? Does (s)he use the library?

Are you happy with the homework being set? Do you want to talk about it with the school?

A Student’s Guide

Homework is both really important and necessary. Homework done regularly throughout secondary school can be the equivalent to an additional year of study! Use your homework timetable, plan ahead. Don’t leave homework until the last minute and take your homework seriously,

Presentation

Clear presentation relates to clear communication and is therefore connected to literacy skills and readability.

Students are expected to:

Underline the date and title at the start of each piece of work.

Rule off work at the end of each lesson.

Write in black or blue pen.

Use coloured pencils, rather than felt tips.

Cross out mistakes neatly, not using Tippex.

Stick in all worksheets as instructed.

Use pencils for diagrams and a pen for labels.

Do not doodle or graffiti in or on their books.