We have a ‘No Homework’ policy here at Coleham and do not send out formal homework. We believe that our children get a good education and work hard enough whilst they are here at school and that home time is precious time to be spent with family and friends.
This links to our school ethos in developing the ‘whole child’ as children need space to learn and grow, free time to master things by themselves, to build resilience by making and solving problems and create genuine self-esteem and inner drive to be in charge of their own challenges and development. Research also shows that the impact of homework in primary schools is minimal, though we know that the stress and anxiety that it can cause in households and individuals is great.
Despite this, we do have daily expectations for parents/carers to support. We insist that all children read every night at home with an adult please and EYFS children look over their Phonics cards sent home. Parents should record home reading in their child’s Reading Diaries.
We also ask that parents help their children to learn their times tables at home. We test the children weekly and ask that you log onto Times Tables Rock Stars in order to support your child with their times tables work at home. Information regarding how to log onto Times Tables Rock Stars will be sent home at the beginning of each year with your child. (in their Reading Diaries)
We would only expect a child to spend between 10-20 minutes an evening on some or all of these activities. A short burst of focused, quality support with an adult will be valuable to a child’s progress. It is important that children have time to unwind after the school day, spend with their family and to get a good night’s rest.