Homework

At Downham Feoffees Primary Academy, we believe that homework, in the way we set it, helps to develop children’s independent learning skills and effectively build on children’s understanding of the work they have covered that week in class. Challenges are open ended and accessible by all children.

Parents and carers have a vital role to play in their child’s education, and homework is an important part of this process. We value and celebrate the cultural diversity of our children and their families, and we appreciate the enrichment that this brings.

Homework is regarded as part of the curriculum – it is planned and prepared alongside all other programmes of learning. At the start of the academic year, class teachers make the children and their parents/carers aware of homework expectations.

A variety of homework activities are set, dependent on the age and stage of the children. Effort in homework is recognised through marking and rewarded with House points, praise and celebration with other children and staff. If there are any issues arising pertaining to homework they are followed up.

We actively encourage the children to express their thoughts, ideas and learning in a variety of creative ways in order to engage and enthuse all. We ensure that all tasks set are appropriate and open-ended, so that the children can access the activities and contribute in a positive way.

All children have Learning Logs in which to record their reading. The Learning Logs are a valuable tool which can be used to aid learning, they have a wide range of support information for English and maths to help children and parents/carers with homework.

We should like to thank all parents and carers for their continued support with encouraging their children to complete homework activities. Parental involvement, interest and encouragement has a marked, positive impact on a child’s attitude towards school, attendance, performance, progress, classroom conduct, motivation and self-esteem.

The Reception Class

• The Reception children take home reading books (Little Wandle) to read and enjoy with their parents/carers.
  They may also read and share other books, and be read to by parents/carers,
  family members and/or friends.
• Phonics activities are sent home weekly to support,
  consolidate and enhance the children’s learning.

Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2

• The children are expected to read at home daily, both independently and with parents/carers.
• The Key Stage 1 children (Year 1 and Year 2) take home reading books (Little Wandle) to read and enjoy with their parents/carers.
• The Key Stage 2 children (Years 3, 4, 5 and 6) take home a levelled, banded reading book from the library, plus they can read a free choice book.
• In addition, all children should read and share other books, and be read to by parents/carers, family members and/or friends. 
• The children are expected to practise and learn spellings and the multiplication tables, including the related division facts, as part of their homework.
• Homework learning journals are used – weekly open-ended challenges are set to develop and support the children’s learning in a variety of ways.
• Each homework journal is a large blank book in which the children are asked to consolidate and show their understanding of their learning over the week and/or to prepare them for the following week’s learning.
• Tasks are set for Maths, English and either Science or topic.
• Homework tasks start with the phrase, ‘I can show my understanding of….’.
• Homework tasks may be completed by using any of the following methods: writing, drawing, pictures, diagrams, making, modelling, labelling, photos, charts, graphs, etc.
• In Year 6, the children are provided with specific revision activities to scaffold and extend their learning and consolidate the basics they have learnt at primary school.
• Homework is usually sent on a Friday, to be returned to class the following Tuesday.