Homework

At Blatch we want our students to have high expectations of their own learning, and understand their responsibility in fulfilling these. This learning should take place both in the classroom and at home.

To support this aim we will provide high quality homework and also help develop student resilience and support independent learning.

From studying the research:

• We believe that the most effective homework is high quality and connected to the learning already taking place in the classroom.
• We understand that homework, when planned effectively, can have a positive impact on both student achievement and character.
• We know that homework tasks need to have the right level of challenge and cover a range of different types of homework within each subject and across year groups
• Homework should include both guided and independent practice, development of vocabulary and literacy, retrieval practice and revision.

What To Expect 

Students will be set homework regularly. Students in Year 7 should expect one hour per day while students in Years 8 to 11 should expect up to two hours per day.

Homework will include but is not limited to:

• Reading and vocabulary
  We know that learning both within the classroom and at home is crucial for increasing the breadth of children and young people’s vocabulary. This background knowledge is essential for understanding and comprehension of new material.
• Guided practice
  We know that once we have presented new material we need to practice it if it is going to be remembered. Homework will also include guided practice using scaffolds or models presented in class and continued at home.
• Independent practice
  Students need extensive successful, independent practice in order for knowledge and skills to become automatic. Homework will therefore also include opportunities for independent practice once students have a clear idea of what the task is and how to complete it. Students will need guidance on independent practice and we would expect to see an increase in independent practice as students move through their time at Blatch.
• Retrieval practice
  Effective homework links to what we know about memory and pedagogy i.e. retrieval practice so some of the tasks will include retrieval practice.
• Revision
  Understanding how to revise, how to retain / embed knowledge and how to apply that knowledge in answering questions should also be part of our homework (not just for KS4).

We will ensure that students receive feedback on their homework. This feedback could be whole class, individual, self assessed or peer assessed.

Working Together

In order to ensure that homework is as effective as possible we must all play our part.

Teachers - will set high-quality homework, linked to schemes of learning and will feedback on it.

Students - will complete their homework to the best of their ability.

Parents/ carers - will take responsibility for providing the right environment and correct type of support to ensure homework is completed.

In School Provision

We know that it is not always possible at home to provide the right environment and support so we want students to be able to access these in school.

We have two spaces open every evening after school from 3 to 4.30pm for students to complete their homework. The RIC is available for KS3 students and the Open Learning Area for KS4 students. These are quiet spaces staffed by teachers and Chromebooks are available for student use.

Staff are there to support students learning and to support understanding and completion of homework. They will liaise with subject staff and parents where necessary.