Homework – 7th October 2021

Thursday 7th October 2021

Dear Parents / Carers

Re: Homework 

We have been working hard to ensure that students receive an appropriate volume of purposeful homework each week and that this is clearly communicated. Given the disruption to pupils’ education over the last year and a half, homework has never been so important. After all, the Education Endowment Foundation has estimated that completing homework allows pupils to make an additional 5 months of progress! It is difficult to overlook such an important part of your child’s education.

Good routines allow for success and therefore we have established homework schedules for KS3 and KS4 students (these can be found attached to this letter). Whilst all homework is due on Monday, we encourage pupils to complete their homework on the same day that it is set rather than leaving it and then trying to rush through it all the day before it is due.

Homework is communicated to students in class and should be recorded in their planners. Teachers will also add the homework to My Child At School (MCAS), our school portal, so that you can see what homework assignments your child should be completing each evening. We encourage you to check MCAS for information relating to your child on a regular basis. If you are unable to access MCAS, please contact info@theleighutc.org.uk.

Teachers may also add homework assignments to Google Classrooms. Your child will have a Google Classroom for each of their subjects where other resources will be available to support your child with their studies, and to allow them to keep learning if they are absent from school.

Internet access / access to other resources

We understand that a small number of pupils may not be able to access the resources required at home for them to complete their homework, for example, a device or the internet. For this reason, any student is welcome to stay after school to use a computer or Chromebook to complete their homework, or even get assistance from a teacher or teaching assistant.

Non-submission of subject homework

We hope that all pupils develop a good routine that they can ensure homework is submitted on time. If your child does not complete their homework they will receive a negative behaviour point and will be asked to attend an afterschool homework support session for that subject. Subject teachers will be available to ensure the homework is completed. However, if your child is able to complete the homework before the support session then they will not need to attend. If the homework still has not been completed and they also fail to attend the homework support session then pupils will receive a 30 minute DoL detention.

Reading

We encourage students to spend at least 30 minutes reading each evening, as per the schedule. If students do not have any appropriate books at home then they are able to borrow one from our library, alternatively, students can access online books via MyOn.

Knowledge Organisers

You will see on the homework schedules that we expect students to be quizzing using their Knowledge Organisers (KO) in addition to their subject homework. This is an essential part of ensuring they remember the key knowledge required to be successful in each of their subjects. Videos of quizzing strategies are available via the QR codes in the front of each KO booklet. Pupils will have a knowledge test based on their KO every 1-2 weeks in each of their subjects. We encourage parents / carers to help quiz their child using the KO too.

You will receive an electronic copy of your child’s KO via email each module. If your child loses their KO they will need to either print a replacement copy themselves, or a replacement will need to be purchased via ParentPay.

If you have any queries, please contact your child’s tutor and/or their SSM in the first instance.

Thank you for your support.

Mr K O’Donnell
Assistant Principal