"Homework can either be a dull and dreary task without any apparent meaning"

OR

"something that plays an integral part in the curriculum and is indispensable to personal and academic achievement."

The Scottish Office Education Department Research and Intelligence Unit

• 1. Statement of Purpose
• 2. Types of Homework
• 3. Time Allocation for Homework
• 4. Homework - Teacher Guidelines
• 5. Homework - Parent/Guardian Guidelines
• 6. Homework - Code of Practice
• 7. Homework Policy - Monitoring and Evaluation

(1) HOMEWORK: STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

Purposeful, well planned homework is seen and understood by the teaching staff of Saint Catherine's College to be the entitlement of every pupil. Saint Catherine's College believes that pupils and their parents have the right to receive clear information and feedback regarding pupil performance and progress.

It is important that we all understand the purposes of homework:

• To encourage pupils to develop the skills, confidence and motivation needed to study effectively on their own. This includes giving pupils the opportunity to:
  • plan and organise their time
  • take ownership of their learning
  • develop good habits and self-discipline
  • develop research skills by accessing resources not available in school, i.e. in libraries and from other learning resources
• To consolidate, practise, finish, supplement or extend work done in class.
• To extend and sustain the involvement of parents/guardians in the management of pupil learning by:
  • creating channels for home-school dialogue
  • providing information for parents
  • providing opportunities for parental co-operation and support
• To enable classroom teachers and Heads of Department to:
  • assess pupil progress effectively
  • plan the delivery of their subject efficiently
  • raise the achievement levels of all pupils
  • manage particular curricular demands such as GCSE/GCE 'A' Level/GNVQ coursework requirements

(2) TYPES OF HOMEWORK

The term 'Homework' should not be narrowly interpreted. It is more than written exercises, learning lists of vocabulary, making notes etc. Pupils at Saint Catherine's College will receive a varied diet of homeworks. The following list, though not exhaustive, indicates to parents and pupils the range of homeworks pupils might be asked to complete.

Investigations	Interviews	Simple experiments	Essay writing	Learning work
Research	Public Library visits	Drafting	Report writing	Vocabulary
Reading	Designing	Revision	Making a model	Spelling
Drawing	Word Processing	Desktop Publishing	Projects	Formulae
Coursework	Watching recommended T.V. programmes	Accessing C.D. Roms and the Internet

• plan homework as an integral part of their curriculum planning, with clear identification of its relationship with classwork;
• set clearly explained tasks that can be completed within the allocated homework time, and that are matched as far as possible to the abilities of pupils;
• use a variety of strategies so that homework tasks are varied in type and enable pupils to draw upon the range of resources that are available outside school, such as people, libraries, museums and electronic media;
• time the setting of homework at an appropriate point so that it is set within the context of the topic or subject being studied; with adequate time for explanation and for the pupils to clarify what they are to do; and with sufficient time for pupils to record the task accurately in their homework diaries;
• give reasonable time for the completion of homework;
• ensure that the work is marked, dated and annotated according to each Department's Marking Policy;
• provide feedback to pupils on their progress, especially where homework is ongoing as part of GCSE work, identifying areas for improvement and praising homeworks which provide evidence of a pupil's best endeavour.

• sign the Homework Diary weekly;
• encourage and support their children;
• check presentation, handwriting and spelling;
• discuss their child's homework tasks with them;
• question children or allow them to talk about things even though these topics might be new or unfamiliar to the parents/guardians themselves;
• support the school by ensuring that homework is done conscientiously and in appropriate surroundings;
• sign pieces of written work periodically;
• fully support the school in any sanctions we employ to deal with homeworks which have not been presented, completed or which do not represent a child's best efforts.

6.1 HOMEWORK DIARIES

Each pupil in Saint Catherine's College must record all homework in their homework diary as outlined by their subject teacher.

ALL TYPES OF HOMEWORK MUST BE RECORDED.

Subject teachers will explain homeworks and will allocate time to allow pupils to record homework details. Pupils will receive regular homework and details of completion dates in accordance with each Department's policy.

6.2 HOMEWORK RECORDS

• Teachers will keep accurate homework records using the following key:
  • 1 - Pleasing homework completed on time
  • 2 - Careless, late or otherwise unsatisfactory homework
  • 3 - No homework presented
• Subject teachers will use Key Stage 3 Report Books and Key Stage 4 Record Sheets to register
• Merits for homework as appropriate and to record any homework infringements.
• Merit certificates for excellent homework records will be awarded on a termly basis.
• Pupils in Key Stages 3 and 4 will receive Homework comments on their twice yearly reports:

6.3 HOMEWORK SANCTIONS

6.3.1 GUIDANCE TO PARENTS ON HOMEWORK

Homework deadlines are set by classroom teachers and these deadlines must be adhered to.

In the event of homework not being submitted, teachers will accept letters of explanation from parents.

Failure to produce homework or presentation of careless homework is taken seriously by the school as we are aware that persistent failure to complete/hand in homework can only result in underachievement.

• Absence: A pupil absent when homework is given must assume responsibility for getting details of homework, and date for completion as agreed with the subject teacher.
• Subject teachers record homework infringements on the appropriate Record Sheets.
• Year Heads monitor the Record Sheets and will impose Retention for homework infringements according to the school Code of Conduct.
• Two Retentions for homework infringements in a month results in the pupil and her parents being interviewed by the Year Head and Head of Key Stage. The objective of this meeting is to effect an immediate improvement in the pupil's homework habits. Homework Action Plans and 'On Report' strategies will be implemented at this stage .
• Persistent failure to comply with the School Homework Policy results in the pupil's class place/exam subject entry etc. being reviewed by the Year Head and Head of Key Stage in consultation with the Pastoral Manager and the School Principal.

• implementing School Policies within their subject area.
• Delegated members of the school's Senior Management Team, in consultation with the School Principal, are responsible for monitoring and evaluating the implementation of School Policies. This includes responsibility for a coherent Study Skills Programme and the setting up of an after school Study Club.
• Year Heads and Form Tutors are responsible for the regular monitoring of the use of Homework Diaries - this includes a bi-monthly special Form Meeting for the purpose of checking the pupils' Homework Diaries and overseeing the awarding of Merits for excellent homework in Key Stage 3.
• The Curriculum Co-ordinator, along with the school's Curriculum Committee, evaluates and updates all school policies on a regular basis.