Helping with Homework - Our Expectations

During their time at Great Torrington School your son/daughter will be set well in excess of 1000 hours of homework. Homework makes a very large contribution to your child’s achievements at the school and so it is essential that they use this time effectively. Homework is also the way in which parents can be most closely involved in their child’s education.

This page explains the school’s policy on homework and gives parents practical ways in which they can assist and raise their children’s level of achievement through helping with homework.

Why is homework set?

Homework is set so that your child can revise or practice what they have learnt at school. It can extend their learning through research or applying the skills and knowledge they have acquired in different situations. It is often used to carry out coursework in Yrs 10 and11 or to prepare pupils for examinations.

How often?

The school’s policy is that homework should be set by each subject every three lessons as a minimum. In practice this means that English, Maths and Science should set homework every week whereas subjects such as Art and Music this will be once every 3 weeks (in KS3). Option subjects at KS4 should set homework once a week.

Where will it be recorded?

Homework is set during the lesson by the teacher (not 2 minutes before the end!). It should be explained carefully and written on the board. Pupils write details of the task in their planners including when it is to be handed in by and the approximate length of time that should be spent on it.

What homework will be set?

Below are some examples of the types of homework that may be set:

Research into a particular topic for the next lesson either from books, TV or the Internet
Learning, for example verbs in French, a poem in English
A worksheet
An extended piece of writing
A practice exam question
A poster, graph, map or other diagram
Coursework

How much time?

The table below indicates how much time your child should spend on their homework. These are government guidelines which the school has adopted.

Year	Time per day	Total time per week (between)
7 and 8	45 – 90 mins	3hrs 45mins – 7hrs 30mins
9	1 – 2 hrs	5hrs – 10hrs
10 and 11	1hr 30mins – 2hrs 30mins	7hrs 30mins – 12hrs 30mins

What can parents do to help?

Provide a quiet place for them to do their homework - not in front of the TV! Make sure there is an area for your child to store their books and equipment and a clear space such as a table or desk for them to work on.

Ask what homework your child has every night showing an interest is the most important thing you can do.
Check their planner regularly to see what has to be done and discuss when and for how long they should be doing it.
Check your child’s homework when it has been completed – insist on good standards of presentation in diagrams and written work.
If there are problems with the homework make a note of them in the planner for the tutor or teacher to read.
Help them and encourage them, particularly with the basics of reading writing, spelling and arithmetic, but do not do their homework for them!
If you have concerns over the quantity or nature of the homework being set contact your child’s tutor or teacher.