Home learning is a tool for extending pupil’s learning and enabling them to practice skills learnt at school independently at home. It provides a link between home and school and gives pupils the chance to share their learning experiences with their parents. In return, it gives parents and carers the opportunity to support their children in their learning and helps to keep them feel in touch with what goes on during the school day. 

Positive parental perceptions of the school will be based on the quality and consistency of the home learning set. Class teachers have a responsibility to ensure that tasks match the ability of the pupil and appropriate feedback is given on completed work. Days for giving work out need to be decided between the year groups and then adhered to so parents know when to expect it.

AIMS

Home learning is set in progressive amounts for all children attending Tilehouse for the following reasons: -

·        To develop good individual study habits

·        To develop personal organisation skills

·        To capitalise on facilities which are not available at school

·        To involve parents in the learning process of their child/children

·        To consolidate, reinforce and supplement learning at school

·        To greatly add to study time available throughout a school career

·        To develop a positive attitude to learning as a life skill rather than just a school based activity.

 ORGANISATION 

Home learning assignments should be purposeful to avoid being perceived as just a weekly chore.

Six basic types of home learning are possible:

1.                  The sharing of a reading book or library book with a parent, other adult or older brother or sister.

2.                  A learning activity which can be a game in which spellings, number bonds, or tables are memorised and practised.

3.                 A research task where pupils have to research a topic by visiting the library, interviewing relatives or friends, watching or listening to a specific programme, finding and bringing to school specific materials or artefacts...

4.                 An activity, in which something has to be drawn, constructed or carried out.  This type of homework involves practical activities such as cooking, model making or carrying out scientific experiments.  They lend themselves to parent involvement.  They may also include activities that are not possible in school.

5.                 An “exercise” consisting of one or more questions to which there will be right or wrong answers.  These may be subject based, or of a broader nature, e.g. general knowledge, current affairs.  This type of home learning may include multiplication squares, crosswords, comprehension and grammar exercises.

6.                 Creative writing can take many forms from the picture with a simple sentence to a poem that describes an experience.  This type of home learning can encompass story writing, writing of a play script, a newspaper report, invitation, poster and letters for various purposes.

Home learning will usually be done on sheets although spellings are done in a spelling book , these should be kept in a separate file. Pupils should fill in their home learning books and parents should be encouraged to sign the books when work is completed. Home learning books should be checked and initialled by class teachers at least once a week.

A handwriting sheet should go home every week and children are encouraged to read regularly to an adult at home. Home reading books are monitored by the class LSA and should be changed regularly. 

If a home learning project is set which will span several weeks, then the class teacher should identify each weekly activity within the project.

When setting assignments, account should be taken of the child’s ability.  Teachers should avoid setting too much work or discouragement may set in.

When home learning has been marked it should be returned to the pupil. Pupils will be given a file to keep at home in which they can place the returned work. This will give parents the opportunity to take note of any feedback the teacher has given. 

REWARDS AND SANCTIONS 

Teachers should set deadlines for work to be returned and encourage pupils to complete tasks on time. A record should be kept of those pupils who return home learning and those who do not.

A pupil who regularly completes homework will be awarded a homework certificate in assembly once every month. Receiving this certificate will entitle them to an extended playtime on that day as a reward for their hard work.

If a pupil regularly fails to complete home learning a standard letter should be sent home to parents. It is not appropriate for home learning to be completed during school time under teacher supervision.

HOME LEARNING TIMETABLE

 

Year Group	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
R	Reading books are sent home to read every day.  Phonics activities/ tricky words for children to learn are sent home at regular intervals.
Y1	Maths or English, and handwriting due back	Tricky words	Times tables test		Maths or English set, Handwriting set
Y2	Maths due back	Handwriting due in		Handwriting and tricky words set	Maths given out   Times tables test
Y3/4	Spelling test		Spellings set    Maths, English and handwriting due back		Maths, English and handwriting set      Times tables test
Y4	English, spellings and handwriting set	Maths set	English due back Times tables test	Spelling test         Maths and hand-writing due back
Y5	Spellings.      English and handwriting due back	Maths set         Times tables test			Spelling test.    Maths due back English set. Handwriting set
Y6	Spellings and English set.         Topic due back.		English due back.              Maths set		Spellings test.  Maths due back       Topic set