We have a ‘No Homework’ policy here at Coleham and do not send out formal homework. We believe that our children get an excellent 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 or on extra-curricular hobbies or relaxation.
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, it can widen the gap for disadvantaged pupils and 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.
Reading
We insist that all children read or are read too every night at home with an adult please and EYFS children look over their Phonics cards sent home. Parents or pupils should record home reading in their child’s Reading Diaries. We expect 5 home reads a week. We can not stress how important reading is and that it will help your child in every area of their learning.
Time Tables
We also ask that parents help their children to learn their times tables at home. We ask that you log onto Times Tables Rock Stars in order to support your child with their times tables work at home.
Children should only be completing the Garage and Studio sessions.
For younger children and those who are not quite ready for TTRS, we offer the sister app, Numbots, which helps secure those fundamental mathematics skills.
Spellings
We have a school subscription for Spelling Shed which children can access at home.
Children are welcome to access spelling games at home to reinforce key skills in a fun and engaging way.
Teachers may also upload the spellings that they are practising in school so they can be practised at home too.
French
We have a school subscription for Language Nut for KS2 children which they can access at home.
Children are welcome to access this at home to practise French Reading and Listening at home in a fun and engaging way.
Log in information for Apps can be found in the front of your child’s reading diaries.
Year 6 Revision
In Year 6 we purchase SATS Revision Guides for pupils and they will be allocated a few pages each week to complete in preparation for their Tests.
Homework summary
We insist that children read or are read to every day and that at least 5 reads are recorded in their child’s reading diary. As for time tables, spellings, french. 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.