Homework

Homework should enhance student learning, improve achievement and develops students' study skills. Homework must be purposeful and meaningful.  High quality homework and a good work ethos should be praised in class. Where appropriate, homework - could be included in display work. House Points can be awarded, positive phone calls home and postcards can be sent home for homework.

The aims of homework at FICS are:

  1. Supports classroom practice enabling students to extend learning. 
  2. Enables students to practise skills learned in the classroom and so deeply embeds knowledge.
  3. Develop research skills. 
  4. To enhance their study skills e.g. planning, time management and self-discipline.
  5. Allows for differentiation where the more able extend their learning.
  6. Allows for the testing of knowledge and the practising of techniques pertinent to g. criteria for assessment in examinations.
  7. Promotes enjoyment of learning for its own sake.
  8. Consolidate and extend work covered in class or prepare for new learning activities.
  9. Have an opportunity for independent work.
  10. Show progress and understanding.
  11. Provide feedback in the evaluation of teaching.
  12. Engage parental co-operation and support.
  13. Create channels for home school dialogue.

The frequency of homework will vary between subjects and key stages and will be set as appropriate by the class teacher.  Teachers will give a suitable amount of time for students to complete the homework set and will make themselves available, if required, to support students outside of the classroom with their homework– students must seek this help prior to a deadline.  Teachers setting homework will be mindful of the demands placed on students in other subjects and also to the unique circumstances of some students living partly in Camp or having limited access to ICT/Internet.

Independent study, can be an example of homework used in all subject areas.  Whereby, students are expected to review their work and improve or extend their learning themselves. This could involve reviewing notes, reading, or even watching a relevant television programme.

Failure to complete homework:

  1. If students do not bring it, teachers will ask students to bring it in on the next school day – teachers will contact home, let the parents know that they have not brought their homework and their support in ensuring that it is brought in the next day is appreciated.
  2. If the homework is not brought in the next school day… the class teacher will put the student on a detention that day at break (the class teacher will collect the student or ask for support from a colleague to get the student to the detention)
  3. The student is to complete the homework at break – teacher will contact the parent and thank them for their support but explain that the homework was not finished and so they were kept at break to complete it. 
  4. If this process fails then class teacher is to notify the parent that the student will attend a detention on Wednesday after school for 30 minutes.  The class teacher will notify Barbara Clifton so that the detention can be recorded.  The class teacher will complete the detention with the student – the student will complete the homework during this time.
  5. If the student fails to attend the detention, and the above has been followed, then the class teacher should seek support from their line manager.

Students are expected to:

  1. To listen to homework instructions in class.
  2. To copy down instructions for the task and deadline date into the homework diary.
  3. To ensure that homework is completed and handed in to meet the deadline.
  4. To attempt all work and give their best.
  5. To inform the class teacher of any difficulties prior to the set deadline.
  6. To attend the homework after school club if additional support or resources are needed.