Why do we set homework? 

Homework is a vital part of your child’s education. It provides opportunities to further their understanding of work they have covered in class and also enables them to develop important skills such as the ability to study and work independently. It also allows subjects to broaden your child’s knowledge and experience through offering tasks that are not always possible in the classroom. 

How often should homework be set?

For years 7, 8 and 9:

Compulsory homework tasks will be set weekly in English, Maths and Modern Foreign Languages and fortnightly in Science. All other subjects will set non-compulsory ‘Shine’ tasks which are designed to give students the opportunity to develop their understanding of a broader range of topics whilst also encouraging a love of learning. These tasks will be optional homework activities that students can achieve house points, postcards and half termly rewards for completing but will not be sanctioned if they choose not to.

KS4 

For years 10 and 11: 

All subjects will be expected to set up to one hour per week. At ‘crunch points’ throughout the students’ GCSE study, more homework may be set. This is at the teacher’s discretion. 

At both KS3 and KS4, subjects may split their homework up into more than one assignment or may set homework projects to last a period of time. All specific instructions will be shared with students on ClassCharts. 

Please note that all homework will be set via ClassCharts (with the exception of the Maths department who use ‘Sparx Maths’) and a link to the ClassCharts login page is available on the school website. ClassCharts allows you to track what homework has been completed or is still outstanding. 

How can parents support at home? 

As a school, we recognise how difficult it is for parents to monitor their child’s progress. To enable parents and students to track housepoints, debits, attendance and homework, we use a system known as ClassCharts. 

Homework is set regularly and via ClassCharts by all class teachers. Please contact your child’s tutor if hard copies of homework are required. 

Pupils can access this easily at the top of our school site log in area here: 

 

ClassCharts is an award-winning, web-based platform that enables parents/carers, students and teachers, to be continually informed of the areas of focus mentioned above. 

When pupils start school, they are allocated a personalised access code to enable them to activate their individual ClassCharts account. Parents/carers are also issued with a personalised access code for ClassCharts to enable them to develop an overview of their child’s progress. When parents/carers receive their access code, they will need to follow the steps below to formally activate their account: 

  1. Access the following website: www.classcharts.com/parent/login 
  2. Click the ‘Sign Up’ option. 
  3. Enter your email address. 
  4. Enter your parent access code and name. 
  5. Choose a password. 
  6. Enter your child’s date of birth. 
  7. Click Log-in 

If you use more than one device (e.g. tablet, laptop, phone etc.), then you will need to repeat the login procedures on each device that you use. If you use the ‘Remember Me’ option, it will store your account details on the device that you are using, so that you don’t have to repeatedly log in. There is also a parent ClassCharts app (and a pupil app) that is available to download from any app store for you to use at your convenience. 

For any questions regarding the setting of homework, please contact the relevant class teacher as a first point. Should your questions not be answered, the Head of Department or Curriculum Lead will be happy to help.