Homework Policy
The purpose of homework at Ryedale School is to consolidate and revise learning.
Homework is there to support the learning that happens in lessons.
- All homework is set on Teams.
- Each subject Team has a Homework Channel; this is where students can find all homework instructions and materials for that subject.
- Homework will be set as an assignment; students must turn in each assignment on Teams, even if the task is not completed on Teams.
- Any concerns around Teams or access to it, please email Mr Rodd: crodd@ryedale-rlt.co.uk
Our teachers also use the following principles to design and set their homework:
DOs
- Students have to be able to do it on their own - it should be clearly explained, scaffolded and students should be provided with appropriate resources to complete it successfully
- Consolidation of learning
- Checking of understanding
- Revision and self-testing
- Should be a planned part of the schemes of learning
Where appropriate
- Extension of learning for the most able students - reading/ work in addition to what is learned in lesson; something above and beyond the essential information in the specification
- Preparation of learning - students have material to read prior to studying a topic in lesson
- Should not be to the detriment of student wellbeing
- Desirable that it does not add to staff workload - students do not have to receive written feedback on every piece of home learning
DO NOTs
- Don’t give students anything to learn that will not be taught and learned in a lesson
- Rarely give completion/finishing off home learning- work that should have been completed in lesson should not become the default home learning
- Completing assessments and essays is not an effective home learning- unless part of planned revision e.g. GCSE past papers/ questions etc.
- Don’t ask students to ‘revise’ without proper guidance, scaffolding, explanation and help. Do they have sheets to complete? Materials to use? Clarity about what is on the exam?
Suggested home learning tasks and activities
Knowledge organisers- make, learn, complete
Low stakes tests- revision, completion, re-learn following a test, create tests
Spaced retrieval- revision of topics and skills from previous topics, months, terms etc.
Revision grids/ mind-maps/ activities to complete
Prior reading- not for learning but to provide context for learning that will be happening next lesson- to provide the ‘hooks’ for new information
Challenging reading- articles, blogs, journals, websites etc. that will extend the more able learners
Past papers - planning, practice
Frequency and quantity of homework
KS3
CORE: Homework will be set on the days stipulated in the home learning timetables.
HUMS and MFL- Homework will be set once each cycle but the day set is at the discretion of the teacher
Art, Performing Arts, Technologies and PE will set occasional home learning at the discretion of the teacher.
KS4
Homework must be set on the days stipulated in the homework timetables.
|
Subject |
Frequency |
Quantity (approx) |
|
English |
4 X per cycle |
40-50 mins |
|
Maths |
4 X per cycle |
40-50 mins |
|
Science |
4 X per cycle |
40-50 mins |
|
Options subjects |
3 X per cycle |
40-50 mins |
Exams and revision
As the focus for home learning is revision and consolidation of learning, all home learning will support students to be exam-ready and will support their memory for learning.
During exam periods, all subjects will set guided revision as home learning.
As per the exam schedule- home learning for the two weeks prior and weeks of the internal exams must be directly linked to preparation for these exams.
Evidence base
- EEF Toolkit
- PISA
- Nuthall: The Hidden Lives of Learners
- Willingham: Why Students Don’t Like School
- Dunlosky: Unlocking the Student Toolbox