Homework

Homework is an essential part of being a successful learner in life. At Shankhill, we value its place as it helps our children to practise and perfect their skills, as well as deepen their knowledge, understanding and skills through regular short bursts of repetitive tasks. So rather than completing all of a spelling or times table activity during one session (e.g. on a Saturday afternoon) do a little task every day to help to retain learning better. Homework also gives parents an idea of what your child is learning in school.

We expect every child to:

• Read most nights for at least 10 minutes from Reception up to 30 minutes in Year 6 (it is not always necessary to read to an adult in upper KS2, however reading diaries should be signed by parents after every read and at least once a week)
• Practise your spellings daily
• Learn your ‘Maths Facts’ until you know them by heart
• Complete all written tasks in pencil as neatly as you would in school
• Hand in homework on a Friday
• Bring new homework home on a Friday

We expect every parent to:

• Sign the Home-School ‘Fishy’ Book each day that your child reads and each week to show they’ve completed their homework.
• Check emails daily for letters and messages sent home (our preferred method of communication)
• Check book bags daily for letters and messages sent home

Occasionally you may be asked to complete additional tasks or projects related to our topics and festivals.

In creating this homework timetable, we have followed the Government’s guidelines of:

• Year 1 - 1 hour a week
• Years 3 and 4 - 1½ hours per week
• Years 5 and 6 - ½ an hour a day

Homework and helping your child at home

Homework is a very important part of your child’s education. By encouraging and helping your child to do their homework you will be helping them to practice and extend the skills and knowledge learnt in school, whilst encouraging them to be an independent learner. Children whose parents get involved with their education will do better at school. There are many ways a parent can support their child with homework without having to know the answers themselves.

Top Tips

• Know how much homework your child should be doing at each stage of their education and make sure that they are doing this.
• Be interested: ask your child what tasks they have been set.
• Check your child’s book bag regularly and read their homework diary - Home-School ‘Fishy’ Book.
• Encourage your child to complete their homework sooner rather than leaving it to the last minute.
• Encourage your child to improve on their homework; are there any ways they could make their work better?
• Provide a quiet space for them to do their homework, where there is no television.
• It is very important to attend Parent Evenings, where the teachers will show you how you can help your child succeed. The school will advise you when Parent Evenings are happening.
• If your child needed lots of support, or more challenge, please record this in their Home-School ‘Fishy’ Book. Teachers are happy to support children with their homework between 8:45 and 9am, daily, if asked.