Supporting your child with homework
The
aims of the policy are to:
·
Improve the quality of
learning experience offered to pupils by providing opportunities for parents,
school and children to work together
·
Consolidate, check and
extend work done previously in school
·
Ensure parents have a
clear understanding of the expectations required of them and their children
·
Encourage pupils as they get older to develop confidence
and self discipline needed to study on their own
Amount
and type of work
The main focus of homework in primary school should
initially be literacy and numeracy. Other subjects may be added as the children
move up the school, although literacy and numeracy will still be the main
content.
Homework is not just formal exercises carried out by
children with help from adults. Particularly in the case of younger children it
is the involvement of parents in their work, which is most valuable in
promoting pupils learning.
Reading is a key educational skill and every child should
be encouraged to read every day at home. Reading should not solely be a child
reading to adults, but also adults discussing reading and sharing books with
children. Fluent readers need to read on their own for 10 – 20 minutes per day.
This could be part of every pupil’s homework schedule.
Older children are encouraged to spend an increasing time
each evening preparing school work so that by the time they leave Sacred Heart
School, most children should have disciplined themselves to set aside a
specific amount of time for home study.
The parent’s role is to:
1.
Provide a reasonably
peaceful and suitable place for their child to do their homework with
appropriate adult support.
2.
Make it clear to their
children that they as parents value homework and will support the school in
explaining how it can help their child’s learning.
3.
Encourage and praise their
children when they complete their work.
4.
Ensure that their children
do their own work and it is not done by other adults or children, otherwise the
homework becomes pointless.
5.
Recognise that practical
tasks are as important as written activities.