Why do we set you homework?

We set homework to help to reinforce learning for your child. They are taught in lessons that by revisiting their learning, at spaced intervals, and in different ways, they will retain more knowledge and be able to practice skills. We also set them homework to help develop good study habits and life skills. When they leave school, and go to college, university, or take on an apprenticeship they will need to organise their own study time. Developing those independent study skills early on in life gives them time to practice and hone them.

Homework also allows for you, as parents and carers, to be involved with your child’s learning. You can ask your child what they are doing and help them with their learning.

What homework should your child be doing?

When setting homework, teachers think very carefully about what is best, what your child will be able to manage independently, and what will be most beneficial. When setting homework, it should help your child to:

• Embed knowledge (revision and self quizzing)
• Practice (redrafting or improving work)
• Extend (deepen existing knowledge)
• Apply (apply knowledge to extended writing or exam question)

Can you give me some example homework activities?

• Self quizzing important vocabulary and concepts
• Learning information on a knowledge organiser
• Short or long answer questions or writing
• Reading
• Research for a specific task

How much homework should my child be getting each week?

• Year 7 approximately 30-60 minutes in total (15-20 minutes per subject)
• Year 8 approximately 45-90 minutes in total (20-30 mins per subject);
• Year 9 approximately 60-120 minutes in total (30-45 mins per subject);
• Years 10 & 11 approximately 90-150 minutes in total (30-60 mins per subject).

You should expect your child to get 2-3 pieces of homework a night. They should engage in self-quizzing retrieval activities for each subject on a weekly basis.

What is your child expected to do?

• Check Arbor Daily for homework assignments that have been set:
• Always access Arbor using the following link https://coopwalkden.uk.arbor.sc/?/home-ui/index (this is our dedicated school link)
• Please avoid a Google search to find Arbor. 
• When logging in to Arbor do NOT use the 'Log in with Google' option.
• Sign in using your school email address and password that you have previously set for Arbor. 
• If your password is not recognised, use the 'Forgot Password' option to have a reset link sent to your school email account. This will allow you to reset your password and in future access the Arbor website using the instructions and link above.
• If you have the facility on your smartphone, use the 'Add link to Home screen' option to save an Arbor icon, that will act like an app and give you easier access to Arbor in the future. (Arbor is currently developing a pupil app and this will be shared soon)
• Try their best with each piece of homework and complete it on time.
• Ask for help if they find homework difficult

What are we expected to do as Parents/Carers?

• Provide a quiet place for pupils to study
• Talk to your child about their homework
• Encourage them to be organised and meet deadlines
• Check the Arbor Parent Portal for any overdue Homework Assignments and speak to your child about these.  (Teachers will mark homework as 'submitted' on Arbor once it has been handed in. Students are not required to tick Submit on Arbor)