Homework is like an extension of our learning day, something you can do at home to help you practice and understand what we've been doing in class. It might be reading a book, finishing off a piece of writing, practicing your spellings or times tables, or sometimes working on a small project. It's not meant to be stressful, but rather a chance for you to show your family what you're learning and to become more confident in your skills. Think of it as another way to grow your brain!

Intent

At LAPW, we aim for homework to be an opportunity for children to delve deeper into concepts explored in the classroom, fostering curiosity and encouraging them to ask further questions and make connections to their own lives. Homework will provide children with purposeful tasks that encourage self-management, organisation, responsibility, and the ability to work autonomously. Meaningful homework activities will help children to practice and solidify skills and knowledge acquired during classroom learning, ensuring a deeper understanding. Where appropriate, homework may involve opportunities for children to interact with family members, promoting discussion and sharing of learning. We encourage children to take ownership of their learning through homework, providing opportunities for choice, self-assessment, and reflection on their progress. We are committed to ensuring that homework is manageable, purposeful, and does not unduly impact children’s well-being, family time, or participation in other valuable activities.

Through these intentions, we aim for homework to be an integral and valuable part of the children’s learning journey, contributing to the holistic development of each child as a lifelong learner.

Implementation

We believe that homework serves as a meaningful extension of classroom learning, fostering inquiry, independence, and a love of lifelong learning.

Homework tasks will often be directly linked to the current Unit of Inquiry, encouraging children to further explore concepts, ask questions, and make connections to their own lives and the world around them. We will provide opportunities for children to investigate ideas of personal interest within the unit, promoting agency and ownership of their learning.

Homework will encourage children to think conceptually, applying their understanding of key concepts, such as form, function, causation, change, connection, perspective, responsibility, and reflection, in different contexts. Tasks will move beyond rote memorisation and focus on deeper understanding and application of knowledge. Homework will provide opportunities for children to develop essential skills such as research, critical thinking, communication, self-management, and social skills. Tasks will be designed to encourage organisation, time management, and independent work habits.

Homework should inspire children to take action based on their learning, contributing to their communities and demonstrating responsible citizenship. This may involve sharing their learning with others, raising awareness about an issue, or initiating small-scale projects. Homework tasks will be adapted to meet the diverse learning needs and developmental stages of all our children. The time allocated for homework will be reasonable and will not place undue pressure on children or families. Guidelines for time expectations will be communicated clearly to parents/carers.

We recognise the valuable role families play in supporting children’s learning. Homework may sometimes involve discussions with family members, collaborative activities, or sharing learning experiences. Clear communication about homework expectations and purposes will be maintained with parents/carers. We prioritise meaningful and engaging tasks over excessive amounts of work. The focus will be on the learning process and the development of understanding, rather than simply completing tasks.

Teachers will carefully plan homework tasks to align with the curriculum and learning. Clear instructions and expectations for homework will be provided to children. Opportunities for children to share and reflect on their homework will be incorporated into classroom activities. Teachers will provide timely and constructive feedback on homework to support children’s learning. Regular review of our homework practices will take place to ensure its effectiveness and alignment with the PYP philosophy.

This implementation statement reflects our commitment to providing a holistic and meaningful learning experience for our children, where homework plays a vital role in nurturing their intellectual curiosity and developing them as internationally-minded individuals.

Impact

Our approach to homework is designed to ignite curiosity, foster independence, and strengthen the connections between learning in and out of the classroom. We believe purposeful and engaging tasks have a significant impact on our children’s holistic development.

Homework provides opportunities for children to revisit concepts explored in class, apply their knowledge in new contexts, and solidify their understanding at their own pace. This leads to a more robust and lasting grasp of key concepts and skills. Tasks are often designed to encourage children to ask questions, explore resources beyond the classroom, and take ownership of their learning. This fosters their natural curiosity and empowers them to become active and responsible learners. Homework serves as a valuable bridge between the academy and home, providing families with insights into their child's learning and creating opportunities for meaningful discussions and shared learning experiences. This fosters a collaborative partnership in the child's education. Engaging with homework tasks helps children develop essential organisational skills, learn to manage their time effectively, and take responsibility for completing assigned work. By offering varied and engaging tasks that connect to their interests and the transdisciplinary themes, we foster a positive attitude towards learning and encourage lifelong curiosity. Thoughtfully designed homework provides opportunities for children to demonstrate and further develop various learner profile attributes.

We measure the impact of our homework through:

Children’s engagement and enthusiasm towards assigned tasks.
The quality of children’s work and the depth of their understanding demonstrated in follow-up activities.
Feedback from children, parents/carers, and teachers regarding the relevance and effectiveness of homework.
Observations of children’s developing inquiry skills, independence, and organisational abilities.

By focusing on purposeful, inquiry-based homework that aligns with the PYP framework, we strive to ensure that these out-of-class experiences contribute meaningfully to our children’s academic, social, and emotional growth, empowering them to become confident, responsible, and engaged global citizens.

What we do at LAPW...

To facilitate homework, we primarily utilise Google Classroom as our online platform for setting and submitting homework tasks, ensuring easy access for children. Our approach to homework is centred around inquiry-based tasks, encouraging children to be curious, ask questions, and explore topics more deeply. Rather than rote learning, these tasks challenge children to research, investigate, and apply their understanding in creative and meaningful ways, mirroring our broader International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB PYP) curriculum and empowering them to take ownership of their learning journey.