At Whytrig, we believe that a small amount of homework, completed regularly, plays a valuable role in reinforcing classroom learning and helping children develop the confidence, self-discipline, and independent study skills they need to succeed both in school and beyond.
Our homework expectations for each group can be found below:
Homework Expectations
How can we help?
The staff will try, as far as possible, to ensure that an appropriate length of time is given for completion. Some tasks will be expected to be carried out over a few homework nights, whereas others will be shorter and need only one night to complete. We usually allow more than one evening before homework is to be completed, to provide flexibility for families and to give an opportunity for pupils to ask for help if they are experiencing problems. In recognition of all of the hard work put in by pupils over the year, and particularly before the SATs, the homework load will lighten after May half term. We hope that this will also allow pupils to take advantage of the lighter nights and warmer weather to enjoy more outdoor pursuits.
How can you help?
Parental support and encouragement is absolutely vital in this process and so we ask you to help us by signing your child's diary weekly. If your child is finding the homework difficult, or hasn’t been able to complete the homework within a reasonable time, please make a note in the diary and ensure that your child shows it to the relevant teacher so that they can follow it up and ensure understanding.
Other ways in which you can help are:
- read to your child and have your child read to you and log this in their planner
- provide a quiet corner away from the television and other distractions
- encourage your child to complete homework at a regular time each week/evening, to plan ahead to make the best use of their time.
- have available pencils, pens, coloured pencils, a simple dictionary and thesaurus
- discuss the finished piece of work with your child
- ensure that your child does their best and presents their work well
If homework is not handed in on time or is not completed to an acceptable standard, a neutral mark will be given (and be visible in the MCAS app) with the expectation that it will be in the next day or lesson (this is not a demerit).If homework is not completed after the above actions, then pupils will receive a demerit. Pupils will only receive one demerit per piece of incomplete homework.
Year 5 pupils will be given neutral reminders only (and no demerits) for the first half term, to help them settle into the new system.
We feel sure that we can depend upon your support and encouragement to make homework an important part of school life. Thank you!
Homework Club
If your child finds it difficult to work at home, we provide an after school homework club, which runs on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 3:30 to 4:15pm. This allows pupils to complete their homework in a quiet environment and access to resources and help when required. Staff are available to go through issues with homework and to address any concerns or misconceptions.
Children can choose to attend homework club (or parents may ask for them to attend) to complete their homework under the supervision of an adult.
In some situations it might be necessary for teaching staff to ask a child to attend this club if they have not been completing homework fully or on time. In this situation 24 hours' notice will be given.