Homework
As you might expect, as pupils progress through Chatsworth and Burnt Oak, the level of homework will increase gradually. From reading to spelling to times tables, the expectations alter with each year group.
As a rough guide, the table below gives examples of likely homework for each year group. Please note: this list is not exhaustive and your child’s teacher will adapt the homework according to the needs of the pupils and changes to the National Curriculum.
What is the purpose of homework?
At Chatsworth and Burnt Oak, we believe that regular opportunities to undertake homework can benefit our pupils for the following reasons:
- It further demonstrates that learning can be fun
- It consolidates the skills we have taught in class
- It allows pupils to explore areas of interest within a topic, encouraging independent study
- It gives parents an insight into the learning that is taking place in class
- It encourages partnerships between parents and teachers
- It prepares pupils for secondary school – both in terms of workload and organisation
How to take the work out of homework
We are aware that, for many families, organising homework (such as weekly English and Maths activities) can feel like an extra chore, which inevitably defeats the main purpose: to demonstrate that learning can be fun! We want our parents to feel as confident as our pupils about what is expected for each class. With this in mind, we have put together some pointers for parents:
- Please don’t feel ‘burdened’ by homework! By the time they are juniors (Y3), pupils will be more confident and adopt classroom routines and take on greater responsibility. Our teachers are promoting independence in every year group, but they will still remind students about school trips, parent letters, reading books and homework.
- Pupils know what to do if they get stuck. Part of the classroom discussion about homework includes strategies for overcoming common problems. In class your child is encouraged to think carefully through the problem and have a go even if they think they can’t, often they can.
- Our teachers care. We hope that this page will help to alleviate any worries about homework expectations, but if you have a concern, please make an appointment to see our lovely staff.
- Help is out there. For parents of older children, you may find that it’s a struggle to develop a homework routine that is manageable; you might even dread it! As a school, we don’t endorse any specific websites, but you may find articles, such as: http://www.theschoolrun.com/simple-strategies-end-homework-wars useful, so we thought we’d share it with you. Let us know if you find useful articles to share with other parents.
Homework praise
We reward genuine effort, rather than test scores alone and those children who have really made a true effort may be asked to share this with us in our Friday Reward Assembly where they are celebrated with a sticker and audience clap.
Homework will be looked at and reviewed with the children. Where we see that pupils have challenged themselves to extend their learning at home, we will reward their efforts.
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