Home learning

Home Learning

Aims of home learning:

• To enable pupils to make maximum progress in their academic and social development.
• To help pupils develop the skills of an independent learner.
• To enable all aspects of the curriculum to be covered in sufficient depth.
• To provide educational experiences not possible in school.
• To help children develop good work habits for the future.
• To promote co-operation between home and school in supporting learning.
• To consolidate and reinforce the work completed in school.

Rationale for home learning:

Home learning is anything the children do outside the normal school day that contributes to their learning, in response to guidance from the school.  Home learning encompasses the wide range of activities instigated by teachers and parents/carers to support the children’s learning.  For example, parents/carers who spend time reading stories to their children before bedtime are helping with home learning tasks.

Home learning plays a positive role in raising a child’s level of attainment.  However, we also acknowledge the important role of play and free time in a child’s growth.  While home learning is important, it should not prevent children from taking part in other relevant activities and/or out of school clubs.

Types of home learning:

Home learning is an integral part of the curriculum and is planned and prepared alongside other programmes of learning.

Early Years teachers provide weekly tasks that include daily book sharing, practising the phonics of the week, talking about the book of the week and taking part in a practical maths activity. By sharing these activities with their child the parents/carers will have the opportunity to support their child’s learning and development including promoting a rich use of language at home.  

Once the children start full time schooling, to the end of year two, the children take home reading books and phonics activities to share with parents/carers.  These are accompanied by a reading diary for parents/carers to comment in, giving an effective home/school link.  Supporting leaflets and workshops explain this process.

Key Stage One teachers also provide weekly home learning tasks that includes daily reading, phonics practise and a mathematics task linked to the objectives being covered each week. Key Stage One teachers also give a set of spelling words for the children to practise.

Home learning that is recorded and returned receives feedback and Dojo points.  This helps to acknowledge the time and effort put into home learning tasks, particularly as some children may do the work independently at home.