Home Learning

Home Learning Policy

Aims: 

Through this policy we aim to:  

• Ensure that parents are clear about what their child is expected to do.  
• Ensure consistency of approach throughout the school.  
• Use home learning as a tool to help continue to raise standards of attainment. 
• Improve the quality of the learning experience offered to pupils and to extend it beyond the classroom environment.  
• Provide opportunities for parents, children and the school to work together in partnership in relation to children’s learning.  
• Encourage pupils and their parents to share and enjoy learning experiences.  
• Reinforce work covered in class by providing further opportunities for individual learning.  
• Practise or consolidate basic skills and knowledge.  
• Encourage children to develop the responsibility, confidence and self-discipline needed to study independently.  
• Prepare pupils for the transfer to high school.  

The Nature of Home Learning  

Home learning can be set in many different forms with many contrasting outcomes. It is important to remember that:-  

1. the nature and type of home learning changes throughout a pupil’s school career.  
2. the amount and frequency of home learning should increase as a pupil gets older.  
3. home learning should be set according to the timetable provided.  

Home Learning Tasks  

Listed below are example tasks and activities that might be given as home learning. This is by no means an exhaustive list, although many of these tasks and activities will be used on a regular basis. Home learning activities will change to meet the needs of the pupils involved and activities that might be occurring in class. All home learning tasks and activities will have a clear purpose and assist pupils in the process of their academic development.  

Tasks may include:

• Assessment preparation
• Spellings  
• Vocabulary tests 
• Times tables  
• Project work (which may take a number of weeks to complete)  
• Consolidation home learning (eg mini maths challenge)

Role of the Teacher  

• To set regular home learning according to the home learning timetable.  
• To ensure home learning is purposeful and links directly to the curriculum being taught.  
• To reward and praise children for high quality home learning.  
• To mark home learning when necessary and give feedback to pupils.  
• To ensure all pupils have recorded the home learning in the day book. 
• To ensure the home learning task (and deadline) is on Teams and provided in paper form for those who request it. 
• To ensure that pupils have the opportunity to discuss home learning and receive extra support where needed.  
• To differentiate home learning tasks where needed.  

Role of the Head of Department

• To ensure compliance with this policy across the department.
• Monitor frequency and quality of home learning set and completed.
• Review the impact of home learning tasks on pupil progress and attainment.

Role of the Senior Leadership Team and Governing Body  

• To check compliance of the Policy.  
• To meet and talk with parents when appropriate.  
• To discuss with staff how far the policy is being successfully implemented.  
• Inform new parents to the school so that they are aware of the home/school agreement and what it entails.  
• To review the policy on a regular basis.  

Role of Parents/Carers  

• To sign a home school agreement which includes home learning.  
• To support the school by ensuring that their child attempts the home learning.  
• To provide a suitable place for their child to carry out their home learning.  
• To encourage and praise their child when they have completed their home learning.  
• To become actively involved and support their child with home learning activities.  
• To make it clear that they value home learning and they support the school by explaining how it can help learning.  
• To use Teams to see what home learning has been set and to support as necessary.

Appendix- Home Learning Expectations by Key Stage  

KEY STAGE 2	Daily	Weekly
Maths	Mini	Maxi
English	Reading	Spelling every week. Reading task/ SPAG task.
Other subjects		There are a range of optional extra tasks within the 'Files' section of each pupil's form group on Teams

 

KEY STAGE 3	Daily	Weekly
Maths	Mini	Maxi
English	Reading	Spelling
	One extract every three weeks with three weeks of written tasks related to the text.
Other subjects	One piece every fortnight of 30 minutes duration

In the event that a pupil does not complete their home learning, the subject teacher will log this on SIMS and the pupil will attend lunchtime home learning detention to complete the task that they missed.

Every day, pupils are able to complete home learning in room 37 with the support of a member of staff should they wish.

Racial Equality & Equal Opportunities 

All children have equal access and inclusive rights to the curriculum regardless of their gender, race, disability or ability. We plan work that is differentiated for the performance of all groups and individuals. Christ Church Academy is committed to creating a positive climate that will enable everyone to work free from racial intimidation and harassment and to achieve their full potential.   

Consultation & Review  

The Academy’s Governing Body will review this policy every year to assess its implementation and effectiveness. The policy is due for review in September 2024. 

We have made a few adjustments to the way we issue our home learning to improve the understanding of tasks for parents, carers and pupils. By introducing Teams for the setting of home learning, we are hoping it will also be easier to access tasks that have been set.

The Academy have put together a presentation to help parents and carers understand how to use Teams to manage home learning.  To view the resource, please visit the 'School Life' tab on the website and click the link entitled 'Accessing Teams'.

How to use Teams for home learning or in the event of a school lockdown

Accessing Teams for Home Learning 

As part of our home learning system, students will be required to access Microsoft Teams and log in to their school email account. From here, they will be able to view or complete any piece of home learning set through the 'Assignments' section. The following videos detail how this can be accessed.

Logging on to Teams

 We are now using Teams to give out home learning (some subjects such as Maths and Computing may ask pupils to complete the tasks on the paper copy provided to allow working out).  All pupils have completed lessons where they have signed in and used their school account. This video will show you how pupils can access their accounts and Teams through our school website.

Handing in an assignment on Teams

As part of our home learning system, students may be required to hand in their work via Assignments on Teams. The following video gives instructions on how to upload work or complete a quiz on Teams.

Live Lessons

In the unfortunate event of another lockdown pupils may be required to access live lessons. Here is a demonstration of how to access and how to deal with any issues that may occur.