Homework

What Is Homework For?

Homework is an important part of successful learning at school. It is an opportunity for students:

  • To extend what they have learnt in lessons;
  • To enrich their experience of school;
  • To learn independent study skills;
  • To develop self-reliance by taking responsibility for their own learning.

How Often Will Homework Be Set?

In accordance with the purpose of homework, parents and students can expect it to be set when it is appropriate to do so.

  • For most subjects this will mean once a week.
  • For some subjects it may mean more often than that or less often.
  • Parents and students should expect homework to be set when a teacher believes it will extend learning or enrich the experience of school.
  • Homework will not be set just for the sake of it.
  • Teachers will always check that homework has been completed or ensure it is marked by the student, their peers or by the teacher themselves.

How Long Should A Student Be Spending On Homework?

In Year 7, parents and students can expect homework in each subject to take about 20 to 30 minutes. By Year 11, this will have increased to about 50 to 60 minutes per subject. Inevitably, the self-study aspect of homework means that sometimes a student may take more or less time to complete it, depending on a student’s motivation and ability.

Who Is Responsible For Ensuring Homework Is Completed?

The responsibility lies with the student, with the support of home. Ultimately, homework is intended to be completed beyond the jurisdiction of the teacher.  This is in order to give students the opportunity to develop for themselves skills such as:

  • Meeting deadlines;
  • Solving problems on their own;
  • Managing their time;
  • Balancing workload pressures.

These are all skills needed in adult life and essential for further study or employment.

How Will The School Support The Development Of These Skills?

The main way teachers will support these skills is by setting homework that is meaningful, and by setting it when it is appropriate.

Students respond best to encouragement, so the school will initially focus its efforts on rewarding students who complete a homework rather than punishing those who do not, for example, by awarding merits.

If the school feels that incomplete homework is becoming a problem for a student, they can expect a range of actions to be taken, which may include attendance at homework club, being put on Report or parents being contacted.

Kirkbie Kendal School uses Edulink to record homework. This can be accessed by both Students and Parents/Carers to see the homework that has been set. For more information about Edulink including accessing log on details please contact lblamire@kksa.co.uk at school.

Is There Any Other Support Available From The School?

There is a range of extra support available from the school.

Whenever a student is struggling with a homework task, the first thing they should do is ask their teacher for help. It is not helpful to turn up on the day work is to be handed in saying ‘I couldn’t do this.’

The School Library is superbly equipped with books on nearly every topic studied by a student in every subject. It also has plenty of PCs for research and for typing-up work. A Librarian is always available to give advice and assistance.

It is up to the student to make use of these opportunities, the responsibility lies with them.

How Can Parents Help With Homework?

There are many things a parent can do to help with homework:

  • The most important thing a parent can do is take an active interest in the work being completed and providing positive encouragement.
  • Check Edulink to see what homework has been set.
  • A quiet room or space to study in, equipped with a desk or table, a lamp, and writing materials including pens, pencils, rulers, glue, scissors and colouring pencils.
  • A dictionary will be useful as will a computer to access the internet.  In Year 10 and Year 11 revision guides will be invaluable.
  • Praise and reward a student for doing their homework.
  • Check up on them regularly while they are working. Popping in to make sure they are doing the work and not surfing the web or playing games will help them to become more efficient with their time.
Kirkbie Kendal School is keen to work with Parents and Students to develop a positive ethos supporting homework.