It is widely recognised that homework can make an important contribution to students’ progress. At Salesian School, it is felt that work completed at home is an essential part of school work. When homework is used properly, it extends the challenge open to the students and ensures that teaching time in school is used to maximum effect. It also prepares students gradually for the more independent demands of study as they mature.
We set homework for the following reasons:
- It encourages students to develop the skills, confidence, and motivation needed to study effectively on their own. This is vital given the importance of lifelong learning skills and adaptability.
- It consolidates and reinforces skills and understandings developed at school.
- It extends school learning.
- It allows teachers to plan for the best use of lesson time by sometimes setting preparatory homework.
- It sustains the involvement of parents in students’ learning and keeps them in touch with what is happening in the classroom.
- It helps students manage particular demands, such as GCSE coursework.
The Amount of Homework
We want to make sure that the homework set is as engaging and as useful as it possibly can be.
The intrinsic value of homework activities is far more important than the precise time devoted to them. However, below is an indication of broad expectations of how much time should be spent on homework.
Year 7 & 8
Students will only receive regular homework from RE, English, Maths, Science and MFL. This will be three 30-40 minute tasks per subject, per fortnight.
Other subjects may set short preparation tasks for students to do if needed, e.g. learning lines for drama or preparing for practical lessons.
In addition to this, subjects not listed above will be setting one project each across the year spanning a half term, allowing students to explore topics in depth.
Year 9, 10 & 11
All subjects studied will set weekly homework proportional to the amount of lessons they have. Students can expect to have an average of 1.5 to 2 hours of homework per evening.
