Dunblane Primary school

Homework

August 2015

If you would find it helpful to have this information communicated in a different format or language please
contact the Headteacher who will provide advice regarding contacts and arrangements.

Rationale
At Dunblane Primary we strive to work in partnership with our parents/carers to support our pupils
learning. We agree with Education Scotland Scotland who state: Research consistently
demonstrates that where parents are involved with their childrens education and learning
both at home and in partnership with the school, their children do better and achieve more.
These benefits can be long-lasting and extend to better health, relationships and improved
employment prospects. (Education Scotland Website, Parents as partners in learning) The
benefits of homework are widely recognised. Homework allows further practice and
consolidation of work done in class. It provides parents and carers with the opportunity to
become involved in their childs learning. Homework gives pupils experience in planning and
organising their time. These good habits will support them in future education and beyond.

Homework in Dunblane Primary School will reinforce learning in class while developing a habit of
life-long learning for children. Homework will give families an insight into learning taking
place in school. Parents will be encouraged to discuss learning with their children and support
them to complete homework independently.

Dunblane Primary School homework policy has been created to provide a coherent framework
from which all stakeholders can develop a consistent and effective approach for pupils of all ages
and levels of ability. Throughout the process of the policy development, all stakeholders were
consulted in a variety of ways including questionnaires, surveys and focus groups. Our homework
policy reflects the beliefs and priorities of children, parents and staff in our school community.

How Good Is Our School

This policy has been created using the self evaluation framework contained in the HMIe
document, How Good Is Our School The Journey to Excellence Part 3. In particular, the policy
has been developed with reference to the following HGIOS self evaluation headings: 2.1, 2.2, 5.1,
5.2, 5.7
2.1 Learners experiences:
The extent to which learners are motivated and actively involved in their own learning and
development
2.2 The schools success in involving parents, carers and families:
The extent to which parents, carers and families are committed to and actively involved in,
the life of the school.
5.2 Teaching for effective learning :
Teacher-pupil interaction including learners engagement
Clarity and purposefulness of dialogue
5.7 Partnerships with school learners and parents:
Engaging parents in their childrens learning and the life of the school.
Consulting and communicating with learners and parents
Dialogue with learners and parents about the work of the school
Aims

Instil in all pupils the importance of life-long learning

Enable pupils to understand that independent learning is vital to achieving success
Promote a responsibility for learning within each pupil
Clearly outline the role of parents, teachers and pupils

Purpose of Homework

Give families, teachers and children a collective understanding of learning taking place.
Encourage families to discuss their childs learning taking place in school.
Develop important life skills which will encourage good study habits.
Motivate children to become responsible for the acceleration of their own learning by
encouraging independent enquiry

What kind of tasks should be given as homework?

Pupils learn at different rates and in different ways therefore homework provided will be
appropriate to each childs level and match their particular needs. Homework at Dunblane will
reflect the breadth and depth of the school curriculum. Homework will reinforce learning in basic
numeracy and literacy skills but there will also be opportunities at home to develop many other
areas of the school curriculum and opportunities for pupils and their families to be involved in the
life of the school. We believe that homework tasks should not prevent pupils taking part in other
after school activities such as music, sport and clubs. It should be flexible so it can be completed
at the families convenience.
Dunblane Primary is committed to the Curriculum for Excellence which aims to develop the four
capacities in children. The curriculum therefore puts the learner at the centre. This can only be
done in partnership with parents and carers and homework will play a key role in this. Our
teachers plan homework tasks across eight Curriculum for Excellence curricular areas. To ensure
all areas are covered in the course of a session teachers use a strategic overview planning sheet
which reflects the purposes of the Curriculum for Excellence(see below)
A curriculum framework to meet the needs of all learners 3 - 18

Roles
Teachers will...
*Ensure Learning Intentions are clear
*Provide homework which builds upon learning taking place in class
*Help to develop a regular and easily followed routine
* Acknowledge the completion of homework through a verbal feedback stamp, sticker or written
feedback.
*Use home-link diary to share tasks and communicate with families when necessary. There should
be a clear system in place for pupils to share communication with the teachers. Eg a seperate box
for children to put home-link diaries in that have a note from home.

Pupils will...
*Work to the best of their ability.
*Develop the habits of life-long learning by beginning to:
manage their time effectively
organise a manageable routine
study independently.
*Engage in discussions with parents about learning intentions of homework
*Be responsible for homework submission and returning to school on time.

Parents will...
*Encourage and support their children in homework tasks, as appropriate to each individual childs
age, stage and development.
* Encourage your child to develop good study habits (eg planning time effectively)
*Provide opportunities for children to discuss links between the learning that has taken place in
school and their homework tasks.
*Where necessary communicate via homework diary with class teacher. DPS understands the
realities of busy home lives and encourages clear communication between home and school.

Routines and Expectations

Steps to success:
*Homework will be most successful when surrounded by realistic expectations which is supported
by a positive and encouraging attitude.
*Homework, where possible will be given out on a regular basis with clear learning intentions as
part of a routine.
*Families are encouraged to develop a culture of learning in their homes. Informal opportunities to
read to children regularly are encouraged and rich conversations about their learning should
happen too. Links should be made between school learning and the wider world, and vice versa.
* Homework should not be a stressful process for pupils, parents or teachers but should be built in
to a childs out of school routine to make a real difference to a childs education.
*Ensuring children have the right materials for homework eg, pencils, pens, rulers etc.
*Motivating children to develop independent enquiry skills by praising and being interested in
childrens questions.
As a guide we recommend that children engage in homework four times a week.
Class

Time

P1-3

10-15mins
evening

per

P4-7

15-25mins
evening

per

Each child in Dunblane Primary School is unique and therefore time spent on homework each
evening should meet their own individual needs.

Websites to support independent enquiry

Literacy
http://resources.woodlandsjunior.kent.sch.uk/literacy/

Numeracy
http://www.toytheater.com/math.php
http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/math.htm
http://resources.woodlandsjunior.kent.sch.uk/maths/

IDL
http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/levels/zbr9w
mn