Why do we set homework?
At Maplewell, we have high aspirations for our pupils and endeavour to do all we can to prepare them for a successful future. Research shows that regular homework helps develop self-study skills, resilience and self motivation. According to research from the Education Endowment Foundation, homework can accelerate a pupils’ learning by 5 months or more.
Homework is set weekly and focuses on core subjects. Each subject and each teacher will set homework on a day which is appropriate for the timetable – therefore, this may differ from class to class.
In response to feedback, we aim to build resilience by gradually building time spent on homework.
Therefore:
- In KS3, each piece of homework will last no more than 15 minutes – this is a total of 45 minutes of homework per week.
- In KS4, each piece set will take no longer than 30 minutes – this is a total of 90 minutes of homework per week.
The tasks set reinforce learning from the lesson, or aid retention of key literacy, reading and numeracy skills. Tasks are adapted to the pupils’ ability.
How and where is homework set?
At Maplewell, we set homework using online platforms to cut the amount of resources required and aid organisation. The platform will send a notification to the email address you have provided to the school as the primary contact. In response to your feedback, we will not send a notification via Weduc or Google Classroom in addition to the Sparx notification.
Details for each subject are outlined below:
English
In English, homework is set on Sparx Reader.
Website: https://sparxreader.com/
Maths
In Maths, homework is set on Sparx Maths.
Website: https://sparxmaths.com/
Science
In Science, homework is set on Seneca. Science homework will move to Sparx in January when the platform is launched.
Website: https://app.senecalearning.com/login
Logging in
Feedback suggests that there have been some issues with logging in to the platforms. All platforms use the same login details. These are the same as pupils’ Maplewell login details. Maplewell login details were sent home at the start of the year, and again on the Sparx User Guide sent in September. If you are still experiencing issues with logging in, please check the details carefully and contact the teacher who has set the homework in the first instance.
Using the Platforms
A user guide to Sparx Reader and Maths was given to parents/carers at Meet the Tutor Evening. If you did not have an appointment, the User Guide was sent home.
(link to User Guide)
A user guide video for parents is available on Seneca:
https://www.loom.com/share/6212d206a189485ca586a5c1d14ff247?sid=42d2acff-876c-4c3b-ba41-e8e052c46f98
How do we support pupils with homework?
We run a Homework Club three days a week as part of our lunchtime social activities where pupils can work on completing homework with members of staff on hand to support. Some pupils may prefer to complete all their homework at Homework Club rather than taking it home – we recognise that pupils with additional needs may find it difficult initially to understand the concept of completing school work at home.
If pupils are struggling with homework, they should ask for support from their class teacher. It is a good habit to get into to ensure that help is asked for before the deadline, rather than the day before or the day it is due.
We appreciate that work-life balance is important for our pupils’ wellbeing – therefore, if circumstances arise at home which mean that your child will find completing the work more challenging than usual, please get in contact with your child’s subject teachers.
We also understand the need to adapt and be flexible to support our pupils. If an extension to a deadline is required, or your child struggles with the format of the homework, please let your child’s subject teachers know, and we can work together to reach an agreement which best suits your child.
What if my child does not complete their homework?
If pupils do not complete homework on time, with no notice to their teacher, they will be given the option to attend Homework Club to complete it with further support, or to complete it by the following morning. If homework is not completed by the deadline three times times in a subject, parents/carers will be contacted to to help us work with you to support your child and address the reasons why homework is not being completed.
If the homework is still not completed by the next day/at Homework Club, or the pupil refuses, the school’s usual behaviour principals will be followed – a lunchtime reflection, escalating to after school with parental consent if required.
Parents/carers can use the platforms to see whether homework has been completed on a weekly basis.