Homework can be a source 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 and 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 and 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 SEN needs;
• Homework should not be set at the end of the lesson. There should always be time for students to accurately record and understand the task, 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.