Homework Policy

Rationale

In Friends’ Prep homework is regarded as an integral part of the learning experience and is a natural extension of the work being done in the classroom.  It serves to develop a child’s sense of responsibility and to indicate to both school and home the level of secure understanding.

Aims and Purposes

ü           To reinforce and to consolidate work undertaken in class

ü           To collect data, information or material for future class work

ü           To familiarise parents with the nature of class work

ü           To enable parents to monitor progress made during the year.

Parents will not be asked to tackle new or unfamiliar written work as homework but may be required to research new or unfamiliar information for a new topic.

The Role of Parents

We believe that homework informs parents about what is happening in school and gives them an indication of the level at which their child is performing.  The school greatly appreciates the support and interest that parents give.  It is a major factor in the success of homework as a learning experience.

To ensure that homework is seen as an important part of the child’s education, all parents are requested to check and to sign all written homework.  This does not mean that the teacher expects the work to be corrected.  Signing is seen as the indication that the parent is happy with their child’s effort. The homework diary and reading record book should also be checked daily.

Homework should be completed in pencil.  Examples of homework layout for P4-P7 are given to parents at the beginning of each school year.

Parents are requested to inform the teacher of any difficulties which the child may be experiencing in the completion of homework e.g. taking too long to complete a written exercise.  Parents are not expected to teach their child how to do work as methods may vary and lead to confusion.

Members of staff will work in partnership with parents and children to address any difficulty relating to the completion of homework on time or to a satisfactory standard.

Parents are asked to back exercise books and textbooks for protection and to return them to school in good condition.

Weekends

Only in exceptional circumstances will homework be given at the weekend.

Holidays

Revision work may be sent home over a school holiday period.  This is optional.  It is prepared by teachers to assist those parents wishing to revise and reinforce areas of work with their child.

Homework will not be set for unauthorised absences from school.  Teachers may, however, retain copies of work that pupils have missed to be completed at home following their return to school.

Full policy available on request