Homework Guide for Parents

This guide aims to give parents a better understanding of homework at Clifton Hampden C of E Primary School.

Why is homework set?
• To consolidate school learning
• To extend and further develop skills learned in the classroom
• To encourage pupils' independence in developing study and research skills
• To provide opportunities for parents and carers to engage in some aspects of work with their children.

How long should we spend on homework?
The Government has recommended that all primary children should have a daily amount of homework (including reading) amounting to:
Age Group Time advised
Years 1 and 2 1 hour per week
Years 3 and 4 1 ˝ hours per week
Years 5 and 6 30 mins per day
They have not stipulated a specific time for Foundation Stage children.

At Clifton Hampden Primary School we recognise that children’s capabilities within these times are different and look for quality rather than quantity. We would not expect the children to spend significantly longer on homework than the guide times set out above. It does not matter if activities do not take as long as the guide times as long as they are useful.

Should I help my child with homework?
We are very keen for parents to support and help with homework. However, there are times when we will want to see what your children can do by themselves. It is particularly important, as they get older, for your children to become increasingly independent in their learning.

We take the view that children are likely to get more out of an activity if parents get involved as long as they do not take over too much. If you are unsure about what your role should be, you should discuss it with your child's teacher. They will be very pleased that you are interested and will want to help you get the balance right.

What sort of homework tasks can we expect?
Homework is set by the class teacher and may take a variety of forms such as:
 Reading
 Further practice of work carried out during a lesson
 Preparation for work to be undertaken in the next lesson
 Research or investigation
 Conducting surveys, interviews, questionnaires
 Factual, imaginative or reflective writing
 Learning spellings and times tables
Homework is due to be returned to school on Monday.

Foundation Stage/Key Stage 1:
Each week, on a Thursday, these children are set one piece of homework which could be Maths, Literacy or Topic based.

Year Three, Four, Five and Six:
Each week, on a Thursday, Years Three and Four are set both a Literacy and Maths task. Occasionally homework may be topic based.

In addition:

Reading
Each child is provided with a reading diary and they are expected to read daily. A comment about how well they read should be entered by an adult. Please discuss with your child what they have read in order to show that they comprehend the text.

Spelling
Throughout Key Stage 2 (Years 3, 4, 5 and 6), spellings lists are sent home and the children are tested weekly on a Friday.

Multiplication Tables
Key Stage 2 children are also expected to learn and/or revise times tables as these are regularly tested during maths sessions. These tests may be verbal or written. If you are unsure about which multiplication tables your child should be learning, please talk to your child’s class teacher.

Talk Topic
This year we are introducing a talk topic each week to develop vocabulary and grammar. Please discuss the topic with your child.

Is reading homework?
Reading is arguably the most important academic skill the children develop at school. It is an intrinsic part of most aspects of the curriculum and becomes increasingly so, as children progress through their education. Reading ability plays a huge role in increasing vocabulary and the understanding of grammar thus helping children to develop their writing skills too.

The purpose of reading is for your child to develop fluency and comprehension skills. Help them with words they don’t know. Please discuss the text with your child, ask questions about what they have read and what might happen next.


Things you can do to help your child learn
 Give your child confidence through lots of praise and encouragement. As a parent, you have tremendous power to strengthen your child's confidence - and confidence is vital to learning.
 Provide specific praise that focuses on a particular aspect of their work, for example: comments such as "I like the way you have..."
 Try to set time aside to do "homework" activities with young children and don’t leave homework until bedtime, as they will feel too tired. Make sure they have a suitable environment in which to work. It is best if they have no distractions.
 Ask your child to explain their task in terms of what they have to do and how they will do it. Suggest starting ideas and points, but avoid ‘doing’ the actual work.
 Please stick all homework into the book provided unless asked not to.