“Homework is not an optional extra, but an essential part of a good education.” – 1999 White Paper, Excellence in Schools
Homework has a key role to play in the education of our pupils. It is an integral element of how pupils can make progress and gains in their learning. At The Hollins we are very keen to promote independence, organisation and resilience in our pupils, and homework helps to develop these much-needed skills in children of all abilities. All our pupils should assume responsibility for their own learning so that they are well prepared for later life.
Homework has a variety of purposes including:
- Consolidating the learning taking place in class.
- Investigation of a new topic in preparation for a future lesson, ‘flip learning’.
- To check/confirm a pupil’s understanding of a topic/lesson.
- Revision of subject content to prepare for exams and tests.
As a parent, could we please encourage you to support your child by:
- Doing learning activities at home – not necessarily helping with homework but keeping to homework routines and offering a hand where needed.
- Taking an interest and supporting learning at home.
- Keeping track of how well your child is doing and encouraging and supporting them to set their goals high enough to reach their full potential.
How long should my child spend on homework?
It is the school’s policy that all pupils are set homework appropriate to their age and ability. The rationale behind homework assignments is that any extended learning opportunity should be meaningful, enjoyable and support their learning. As there will be a wide variety of tasks set by teachers, the amount of time pupils spend on homework will vary, but as a general guide the national average is shown below:
Year 7 & 8 = 45-90 minutes a day
Year 9 = 60-120 minutes a day
Year 10 & 11 = 90-150 minutes a day
If your child is usually spending either far more time than this or far less, please draw the matter to our attention.
Homework Timetable
Homework is set for all subjects on Arbor and Microsoft Teams. As a parent, if you log on to Arbor you can see if homework has been set in the different subject areas. Pupils can find the resources for their homework on Microsoft Teams.
In addition to the homework set in all subjects:
In Maths, KS3 and KS4 pupils have to complete regular Sparx homework which necessitates pupils attempting at least 90% of all the questions by using the resources available in Sparx to support them.
In English, KS3 pupils have to complete regular Bedrock homework.
Pupils have a week to complete their work for these two core subjects. Failure to complete this homework means pupils will be issued a homework detention after-school. That will take place every Tuesday for Maths and English.
Year 7 study journal
This journal is designed to help pupils build effective and consistent study habits, reinforcing the knowledge they acquire in lessons. The study journal is used in addition to the existing platforms they are already familiar with, including Bedrock, Sparx and Languagenut.
Daily Study Tasks: Each day (Monday to Friday), pupils will be asked to spend a focused period on specific key words and concepts from their subjects. They will use two proven techniques to aid their learning:
Look, Cover, Say, Check – Pupils will look at a key word, cover it, say it aloud from memory, and then check if they were correct. This helps reinforce their ability to recall information verbally.
Look, Cover, Write, Check – Pupils will look at a key word, cover it, write it down from memory, and then check their answer. This strengthens their ability to recall information in written form.
In the journal, we have included all the instructions as well as a QR code that links to a video to remind pupils how to use the techniques.
These methods encourage regular practice, which is crucial for long-term memory retention. Learning a little each day helps pupils keep concepts fresh and reduces the likelihood of forgetting important information over time. This consistent, incremental approach can also reduce stress around assessments, as pupils will feel more prepared and confident.
Homework club and support
We have a homework club every day in room 21A from 3pm to 4pm Monday to Thursday and 3pm to 3.30pm on Friday and all pupils are welcome to attend where they can receive support from teachers and teaching assistants.
Who to contact
If you have issues relating to homework, please contact the subject teacher in the first instance and then if the issue is not resolved, the Head of Department.
