Wilbraham Primary School

Homework

The Importance of Homework

Working at home can help develop a child's self discipline and promote a motivating attitude towards study and learning. At Wilbraham, we consider it important for homework tasks to be purposeful and matched to the ability of the individual children therefore homework is set in accordance with the needs of the children in each class using the guidelines from the DCSF.

Homework tasks are generally related to work that pupils are doing in school, often as preparation, consolidation or follow-up. Sometimes, homework is an independent activity related to something that interests the child. At Wilbraham Primary School we think homework is important because it...

contributes to the development of children's basic skills, in reading, writing and mathematics.
contributes to children's learning in a range of subjects.
helps to extend the work covered in lessons.
helps to develop children's interests.
develops the skills for independent and personalised learning.
develops self-discipline in lifelong learning.
provides parents/carers with an opportunity to share in their children's learning.
provides parents/carers with an opportunity to observe success and difficulties.
helps parents/carers to develop an understanding of how their children learn.
gives parents/carers confidence in how they can share in and support their child's learning.
helps children to prepare for the demands of secondary school

Helping your child with their homework

Ensuring that your child completes their homework on time and to the best of their ability is one of the ways we expect parents/carers to contribute to the home-school partnership.

Teachers can encourage children to complete homework but without parental support, it can be an uphill struggle. Unless you support your child in the right way, homework can become a nightly chore or, worse still, a regular battleground.

The time you spend with your child really does make a difference - it can mean the difference between good and poor progress.

How to Manage Homework

Ask your child about any homework set on a daily basis to avoid a last-minute panic.
Give your child a chance to unwind before starting their homework.
Provide an appropriate and tidy space, e.g. study desk or clear kitchen or dining room table.
If possible, have a dedicated box of resources to avoid searching for pens, pencils, ruler, eraser, glue, maths set, scissors, etc.
Try to establish a routine for your child and yourself to avoid last-minute poor quality work or a battleground.
Determine if your child will need your help or advice and be available, if needed.
Do not have the television on, it is a distraction.
Give it high importance and status, promote the message that it does matter.
Do one piece of homework each night rather than several pieces all at once.
Make sure that your child is clear about what he or she is being asked to do and has the resources he/she needs.
Ensure it is handed in on time so that your child can go through it with the rest of the class and is not worried.
Be patient and do not get cross if your child does not understand something you think is easy.
Don't do your child's homework for them; if they are stuck, write a comment in the book or on the sheet.
If your have not helped your child with their homework, take a look at it and praise them for a job well done.
Check that your child has done their best work; it should as well-presented as a piece of class work
If your feel your child has worked particularly hard on a piece work, let the teacher know by writing a comment.

If your child refuses to do their homework and it is clear that the battleground scenario is fast approaching, try not to force the issue. Try and find out why your child does not wish to complete homework at this time. Children may want to avoid homework because:

they do not understand the work itself.
they find the work difficult.
they are tired, perhaps after a busy weekend.
they want to do something else (play with friends, watch television, use the computer)

If your child refuses to do homework on a regular basis, please discuss this with the class teacher.