Why do we set homework?
At Outwood Academy Acklam we believe that homework should consist of meaningful and worthwhile tasks or projects designed to extend the learning of the student outside the classroom and to:
- extend and support classwork
- consolidate and reinforce skills and understanding
- extend and support every child’s learning
- develop the skills of an Independent Learner
- develop Deep Learners rather than Surface Learners
- allow students to gain and practise the skills and knowledge that they will be required to reproduce in assessment situations such as exams
- develop abilities in time management and organisation essential in life and beneficial to students as they leave the Academy and progress to university or enter the workforce.
How and where should homework be recorded?
Homework should be recorded in students’ planners. It should be recorded when the homework/coursework is due in. This is so management of time can be planned. Note on the deadline date that there is homework/coursework due in. This will enable both students and parents/carers to review the planner each evening to ensure that students meet each deadline for the following day.
What sort of work is set?
Homework should be meaningful, interesting and worthwhile. It should support development of the specific subject the student is learning. It might consist of:
- short tasks
- longer projects or coursework.
How much homework is set?
The amount of homework set will be dependent on the subject, year group of the student and the nature of the work:
- short tasks – such as My Maths homework – might take half an hour each week
- longer projects lasting over half a term or coursework may take several hours in total.
How long will students get to complete the work?
Homework deadlines may vary depending on the subject, year group of the student and the nature of the work:
- short tasks may have a deadline of one week
- longer projects or coursework may have a deadline of half a term.