Homework
Homework can be a point of anxiety for students and parents. However, at Hitchin Girls’ School, homework is used:
- to encourage curiosity and wider reading/learning;
- as training for good working habits;
- to provide challenge for all students;
- to allow consolidation and further practice;
- for revision;
- to encourage students to develop independence and confidence;
- to encourage students to develop organisational skills;
- to encourage students to manage their time sensibly;
- to prepare students for future learning;
- to encourage students to commit themselves to do their best.
Frequency & Organisation
- Key Stage 3: Up to one hour per week for English, Maths and Science; up to 30 minutes per week for other subjects. Advice will be given to students on how long they should spend on a task.
- Key Stage 4: No limit to homework set, but staff will be aware of pressure points on the calendar. Advice will be given to students on how long they should spend on a task.
- Key Stage 5: Students should complete five hours of study per subject per week. This includes timetabled study periods;
- Students should indicate homework in their exercise books/folders with ‘H/W’;
- If students choose to exceed the recommended time to be spent on a piece of work, they should indicate the additional time spent alongside ‘H/W’;
- All homework is indicated in Google Classroom, in a designated Homework topic, not in the stream;
- Students should record their homework in their planner. (This is in addition to work being indicated on Google Classroom, but will be reviewed, along with Student Planner usage);
- Not all homework will necessarily be marked or assessed.
Essentials
- Each student should know why they are doing the homework, what they need to do to complete their homework to a good standard, and have an indication of how long they should spend on it;
- Challenge for all - Staff may set a range of homework activities, differentiated when necessary;
- When setting homework, teachers will take into account any SEND needs;
- Homework should not be set at the end of the lesson. There should always be time for students to accurately record, understand and ask any relevant questions;
- Homework should only be set if it is appropriate and relevant for learning. It should be a natural extension of the current learning;
- Homework should not create unnecessary or superfluous marking for teaching staff;
- Staff will be mindful of students’ additional commitments, both in and out of school, when setting deadlines.
