Homework Policy
The Board of Management of Our Lady of Mercy Convent School is setting out, in this statement, the policy of the school in regard to homework, in accordance with the provisions of the Education Act, 1998. The Board trusts that this statement of policy will be of assistance to parents and guardians in relation to homework matters. The Board also wishes to state that the Chairperson and Principal of the school will be willing to clarify any matters arising from this policy statement.
Introductory Statement
The process of revising the school’s policy on homework began in June 2014, following the publication of the School Self-Evaluation (SSE) report on Literacy. At that time the evaluation and review focused on the change of emphasis to more oral homework. Since then, having reviewed and monitored the feedback from pupils, teachers and parents, we believe that homework should be made up of a good balance of both written and oral work.
Rationale: Why give homework?
The main objectives in giving homework are:
(a) to revise, consolidate and extend school work;
(b) to encourage self-reliance and to develop the habit of independent study;
(c) to form the basis for future study;
(d) to monitor the effectiveness of teaching;
(e) to communicate with parents/guardians and to keep them involved in their children’s school work;
(f) that work at home can provide the quiet and private conditions needed for creative and thoughtful work of all kinds;
(g) that it can allow pupils to use materials and other sources of information that are not always available in the classroom;
(h) that it gives pupils valuable experience of working to deadlines (in particular in the senior classes);
(i) that in the senior classes it forms a link with the methods of study crucial to success at secondary school.
How often is homework given?
- Homework is given on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays but not on Fridays. There are two exceptions:
· If homework has been neglected (not done or presented badly) during the week
· In middle and senior classes some essay work/project work is undertaken at weekends.
- Sometimes at the discretion of the class teacher or the principal, children are given “homework off” as a treat or as acknowledgment of some special occasion.
What is the content of homework?
- The main focus of this policy is to ensure that homework contains a balance of both written and oral work for all classes. Parents/Guardians are asked to play a very important role in the process by ensuring the homework is completed in full and that adequate time is given to the importance of oral work such as reading aloud and discussing the text, talking through word problems in maths and general discussion time around the various homework requirements.
- Ideally homework will contain a balance between reading tasks, learning tasks and written tasks, but this is not always possible, and can vary considerably from day to day.
- Sometimes with senior classes, some homework is designed to challenge children’s ability and provide opportunities for creativity.
- Children are expected to do their homework to the best of their individual ability no more, no less.
How much time for homework?
The following are guidelines for time spent at homework. Different children will complete the same homework in different lengths of time. Time spent will vary from day to day and also from the beginning to the end of the school year. It is important to remember that it is the quality and not the quantity of homework that matters. The following are general guidelines only:
Junior Infants 10 minutes
Senior Infants 20 minutes
Rang 1 30 minutes
Rang 2 35 minutes
Rang 3 40 minutes
Rang 4 45 minutes
Rang 5 50 minutes
Rang 6 1 hour
How can the school help with homework?
· ‘Homework letters’ are sent home at the beginning of each academic year by each class teacher from Senior Infants to 6th Class. These letters outline the nature of homework that will be assigned and the approximate time which should be spent on this homework, and how parents can help.
· The Junior Infant teacher meets with the parents/guardians to ‘introduce’ homework. ·
Teachers make every effort to ensure that the instructions to the students regarding homework are clear to everyone. ·
Teachers monitor and differentiate homework to cater for all pupils.
· Ideally teachers like to check homework on a daily basis. However with large class numbers it is not always possible to check each child’s homework every day. ·Some items of homework may be checked by children themselves under the direction of the teacher. This can be a useful part of the learning process for children. ·
Teachers provide feedback to pupils re homework
· Teachers expect homework to be given in on time. This gives pupils (especially in middle and senior classes) valuable experience of working to deadlines. ·If there is a recurring problem of failure to hand in homework on time, the class teacher may contact the parents/guardians.
How can parents/guardians help with homework?
When should homework be done?
When should parents communicate with the teachers about homework?
When your child cannot do homework due to family circumstances
Success Criteria
The school will evaluate the effectiveness of this policy through monitoring (i) standards reached, and (ii) feedback from staff, parents/guardians and students (as appropriate).
Practical indicators as to the success of this policy in Our Lady of Mercy Convent School are as follows:
* Improved learning by pupils (all skills)
* Happy, well-adjusted children, with positive attitudes to school and high levels of motivation and self esteem;
* The development of skills such as independence and self-reliance,
* Positive parental and teacher feedback.
Implementation Date
The procedures outlined in this policy will apply immediately.
Timetable for review
The operation of the procedures outlined in the policy above will be reviewed using the proposed schedule as stated below; or earlier, if necessary.
Communication
This policy is circulated to all teaching staff. Furthermore, a copy of this policy is posted on the school website and it can be inspected in the Administrative Policies folder in the secretary’s office.
Ratification
This plan was ratified by the Board of Management.
26/09/17
Introductory Statement
The process of revising the school’s policy on homework began in June 2014, following the publication of the School Self-Evaluation (SSE) report on Literacy. At that time the evaluation and review focused on the change of emphasis to more oral homework. Since then, having reviewed and monitored the feedback from pupils, teachers and parents, we believe that homework should be made up of a good balance of both written and oral work.
Rationale: Why give homework?
The main objectives in giving homework are:
(a) to revise, consolidate and extend school work;
(b) to encourage self-reliance and to develop the habit of independent study;
(c) to form the basis for future study;
(d) to monitor the effectiveness of teaching;
(e) to communicate with parents/guardians and to keep them involved in their children’s school work;
(f) that work at home can provide the quiet and private conditions needed for creative and thoughtful work of all kinds;
(g) that it can allow pupils to use materials and other sources of information that are not always available in the classroom;
(h) that it gives pupils valuable experience of working to deadlines (in particular in the senior classes);
(i) that in the senior classes it forms a link with the methods of study crucial to success at secondary school.
How often is homework given?
- Homework is given on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays but not on Fridays. There are two exceptions:
· If homework has been neglected (not done or presented badly) during the week
· In middle and senior classes some essay work/project work is undertaken at weekends.
- Sometimes at the discretion of the class teacher or the principal, children are given “homework off” as a treat or as acknowledgment of some special occasion.
What is the content of homework?
- The main focus of this policy is to ensure that homework contains a balance of both written and oral work for all classes. Parents/Guardians are asked to play a very important role in the process by ensuring the homework is completed in full and that adequate time is given to the importance of oral work such as reading aloud and discussing the text, talking through word problems in maths and general discussion time around the various homework requirements.
- Ideally homework will contain a balance between reading tasks, learning tasks and written tasks, but this is not always possible, and can vary considerably from day to day.
- Sometimes with senior classes, some homework is designed to challenge children’s ability and provide opportunities for creativity.
- Children are expected to do their homework to the best of their individual ability no more, no less.
How much time for homework?
The following are guidelines for time spent at homework. Different children will complete the same homework in different lengths of time. Time spent will vary from day to day and also from the beginning to the end of the school year. It is important to remember that it is the quality and not the quantity of homework that matters. The following are general guidelines only:
Junior Infants 10 minutes
Senior Infants 20 minutes
Rang 1 30 minutes
Rang 2 35 minutes
Rang 3 40 minutes
Rang 4 45 minutes
Rang 5 50 minutes
Rang 6 1 hour
How can the school help with homework?
· ‘Homework letters’ are sent home at the beginning of each academic year by each class teacher from Senior Infants to 6th Class. These letters outline the nature of homework that will be assigned and the approximate time which should be spent on this homework, and how parents can help.
· The Junior Infant teacher meets with the parents/guardians to ‘introduce’ homework. ·
Teachers make every effort to ensure that the instructions to the students regarding homework are clear to everyone. ·
Teachers monitor and differentiate homework to cater for all pupils.
· Ideally teachers like to check homework on a daily basis. However with large class numbers it is not always possible to check each child’s homework every day. ·Some items of homework may be checked by children themselves under the direction of the teacher. This can be a useful part of the learning process for children. ·
Teachers provide feedback to pupils re homework
· Teachers expect homework to be given in on time. This gives pupils (especially in middle and senior classes) valuable experience of working to deadlines. ·If there is a recurring problem of failure to hand in homework on time, the class teacher may contact the parents/guardians.
How can parents/guardians help with homework?
- Parents should try to help their children with homework by:
- taking a positive interest in their child’s homework rather than just insisting that it is done
- providing them with a suitable place and time to do their homework
- preventing interruptions or distractions, like T.V. or other children
- encouraging them to organise themselves for homework (by having all books and materials to hand).
- encouraging good presentation and neatness
- Children should do written homework themselves and parents should only help when the child has difficulty. If a child has difficulty with homework, the parent(s) should help the child to overcome the difficulty with further explanation or examples, but not by actually doing the homework for the child. If necessary, the parent should write a note to the teacher explaining the problem.
- In particular in the senior classes, a student may need help to organise her time to best advantage so that things are not all left to the last minute or even forgotten.
- Parents should check and sign a child’s homework every evening.
When should homework be done?
- Each family situation is different - both parents working, child minders, etc. Ideally, homework should be done before any television is watched soon after school while your child is still fresh, however, some children need a break before starting homework
- Homework should never be left until morning time before school
When should parents communicate with the teachers about homework?
When your child cannot do homework due to family circumstances
- When your child cannot do homework because she/he cannot understand some aspect
- If the time being spent at homework is often longer than the recommended amount of time.
Success Criteria
The school will evaluate the effectiveness of this policy through monitoring (i) standards reached, and (ii) feedback from staff, parents/guardians and students (as appropriate).
Practical indicators as to the success of this policy in Our Lady of Mercy Convent School are as follows:
* Improved learning by pupils (all skills)
* Happy, well-adjusted children, with positive attitudes to school and high levels of motivation and self esteem;
* The development of skills such as independence and self-reliance,
* Positive parental and teacher feedback.
Implementation Date
The procedures outlined in this policy will apply immediately.
Timetable for review
The operation of the procedures outlined in the policy above will be reviewed using the proposed schedule as stated below; or earlier, if necessary.
Communication
This policy is circulated to all teaching staff. Furthermore, a copy of this policy is posted on the school website and it can be inspected in the Administrative Policies folder in the secretary’s office.
Ratification
This plan was ratified by the Board of Management.
26/09/17
Review Date
Sept 21
Sept 21
