Homework Policies

Regular homework is a valuable aspect of the learning process and contributes to the development of sound study habits. It encourages students to develop the habit of independent study and promotes application and self-discipline. It also presents a regular opportunity to reinforce skills which have been learnt in the classroom.

Homework has an important role to play in involving parents in their children’s learning, allowing them to show interest and give support where necessary. We see teachers and parents as partners in promoting their children’s learning. We recognise that parental support and encouragement are crucial to a child’s educational development.

We believe that children learn best when they appreciate the link between their work at school and their life in the world outside. We wish homework to be seen by children as a natural and accepted extension of school work, while playing an important part in developing good study habits and independent learning.

Objectives

Objectives for homework are as follows:

• To encourage students to develop the practice of independent study.
• To develop perseverance and self-discipline.
• To allow practice, where it is needed, of skills learned in the classroom.
• To enable class work to concentrate on those activities requiring the teacher’s presence.
• To open up areas of study and to make possible the use of materials and sources of information that is not accessible in the classroom.
• To improve links between home and school by bridging gap and highlighting the importance of learning at home.
• To enhance and extend children’s learning.

For homework to be done properly, not only is a basic allocation of time necessary, but that time must be used productively. The success of homework is related to the quality rather than the quantity set. In the case of younger children the best homework practice arises naturally from work in the classroom without a prior commitment to a specific or regular minimum amount of work required irrespective of circumstances.