Ark Tindal Primary Academy

HOME LEARNING POLICY

Ark Tindal Academy Whole-School Home Learning Policy September 2013

Ark Tindal Academy

Whole-School Home Learning Policy

Contents:
How the School Aims Inform the Policy The Core Aims, Principles and Intentions of the Policy which Contribute to our School Ethos Expectations for Home Learning Home learning club and support for Parents and Carers Appendix A: School Ethos: Aims to Practise resources used to support Home learning Appendix B: How Parents and Carers can best support their child

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Ark Tindal Academy Whole-School Home Learning Policy September 2013

How the School Aims Inform the Policy The Whole-School Home Learning Policy is based on the School Aims as follows:
To create a positive learning environment which promotes the development of children in the fullest sense and their learning and success in school. To empower children, by encouraging them to develop: - enthusiastic, enquiring minds - the ability to question and present rational arguments - an independent, positive and engaged approach to learning. To help children realise their full potential through the highest quality of learning, teaching and experiences across the whole-school curriculum (intellectual, social, physical, ethical and spiritual). To prepare children for the future, including secondary school and the world of work.

The Core Aims, Principles and Intentions of the Policy which Contribute to our School Ethos The Whole-School Home Learning Policy has at its core these principles and intentions: At Ark Tindal Academy, we value the constructive and positive contribution that each individual brings to school and the important part that each parent/carer plays in supporting their childs learning and development At Ark Tindal Academy, we offer support, encouragement and enthusiasm. We have high expectations of childrens work and attitudes to learning; we aim to debelop independence and resilience in approaches to learning. Home learning gives children tasks they must complete in their own time and so introduces them to the responsibilities of remembering, managing their time, and working independently. It provides an opportunity for children to consolidate skills, knowledge and concepts as well as finish incomplete learning. Home learning will be set in a regular pattern according to the age and ability of the child. Parents/carers will be informed of this at the start of the academic year and in subsequent newsletters from the teachers. Home learning tasks are intended as a extension of class work and provide opportunity for consolidation or extension. On occasion, it may be used as a diagnostic tool at the start of a topic. Expectations for Home learning All children will be expected to read, or be read to, on a daily basis. They will also be set tasks linked to their Mathematics and Literacy work. There will likely be a short task set every day and children will be given sufficient time to complete the task before they are expected to return it. Mathematics Children may be encouraged to practise number patterns, counting or bonds. Parents should be encouraged to discuss everyday problem-solving situations or investigations with their children, as this will help their child progress from practical tasks to more abstract mathematical concepts.
Ark Tindal Academy Whole-School Home Learning Policy September 2013

Literacy Children may be asked to carry out activities to practise their letter sounds, spellings support their ability to construct sentences, develop their ability to retell events using the appropriate vocabulary, tell stories using the correct story language and other activities to support their in class learning. Reading At Ark Tindal Primary Academy all children are expected to take two books home: A book of their choice, at the appropriate level (to be chosen by the child, with support if appropriate) A book linked to a reading scheme, at the appropriate level. Children should take their reading books home every day. Parents must sign and date the reading record every day, to show that their child has read the book to them or that they have read the book to their child. Parents can also record any comments for their child's teacher in the reading record. The Teacher/Teaching assistant must check the reading record daily. If a parent does not sign the reading record, the class teacher should speak to them at the end of that day. If a parent habitually fails to sign the record, they should be referred to the Headteacher. Phonics Children should be encouraged to practise their phonic sounds and High Frequency Words at home. Foundation Subjects/Areas of learning Children may also be set projects/tasks to complete that link to topic-based learning that they are involved in. Home Learning club and support for parents/carers At Ark Tindal Primary Academy, all children are expected to complete Home learning tasks. If they fail to do so, teachers will contact parents/carers and request a meeting to discuss the reasons and possible support that may be needed. Children may be dircted to attend Home learning club that runs before school. Any child may also choose to attend the club if they so wish. A member if staff will be avaiable at the club to support and facilitate the completion of the task set. Parents and carers who wish to raise concerns/ask questions about Home learning may do so by attending regular coffee mornings led by the Pastoral team or contacting their childs class teacher to arrange a meeting. Regular INSPIRE workshops held at school and newsletters will be used as a means by which class teachers can keep parents up-to-date with information about the latest procedures for Home learning.

Ark Tindal Academy Whole-School Home Learning Policy September 2013

Appendix A
School Ethos: Aims to Practise resources used to support Home learning: At Ark Tindal Primary Academy, we use a variety of published resources to support Home learning. The main resource is a Workabook which is to be used throught the academic year. All children will be given a Literacy and a Mathematics Workabook appropriate to their Year group. What is a Workabook? Workabook homework is based on three different types of homework activity: Learning Exercises These involve many things your child should learn this year. Mathematics Workabooks divide the learning facts for the year into manageable, bite-sized chunks. Most of these learning facts such as units and multiplication tables need to be learned by heart. Literacy Workabooks contain World of Words lists. These help to enrich childrens writing and speaking as well as their spelling ability. Practice Exercises These are exercises to build confidence. Workabooks contain Practice Exercises at three different levels: A is for a good basic level B is for building up confidence C is for more of a challenge The teacher will normally choose the level, but if your child also wants to try the next level up, encourage them to have a go! Thinking Tasks These make use of the skills developed in the Learning and Practice Exercises, and show how what's been learnt can be applied in everyday life. Workabooks also include the following: A mini dictionary containing important vocabulary for the year. Children can use this to build up their own definitions during the year. An achievement page to add to every time an exercise is completed. This page rewards effort and provides a record of your childs achievement. Literacy Workabooks have a reading record to promote children's personal reading and encourage them to evaluate and form opinions about books. We also use ReadWriteInc and Literacy and Language resources to support and set Home learning tasks.
Ark Tindal Academy Whole-School Home Learning Policy September 2013

Appendix B
How Parents and Carers can best support their child: As your child begins their homework, check that they know what to do. They should try to do the homework without your help, but you can offer support and assistance whenever they need it. Most of the exercises can be done in one session, although some of the Thinking Tasks may involve doing something over several days, such as keeping a record of how long it takes to get to school. Providing the right setting for homework is an important part of supporting your child. This includes: Routine Routine is important: try to find a regular time when your child is not too tired, for example, a weekend morning or just after school. It should be a time when you are able to give support if needed. Distractions Make sure they are sitting in a good writing position at a table and that its in a reasonably quiet place; it should be well lit and clear of clutter. Encourage others in the house not to distract your child during homework! Make sure your child isnt tired, hungry, thirsty, cold or irritated when they sit down to do their homework. These all get in the way of concentration and learning. Praise and encourage As a parent you have tremendous power to strengthen your childs confidence and confidence is vital to learning. If your child is unsure about the homework, read through the tasks with them and ask prompting questions, such as: Can you explain to me what you are doing? How are you going to do this? How do you know what to do? What do you need to find out? When you discuss homework in this way with your child they can take the role of the teacher and explain to you whats expected. This in itself can be an important learning exercise.

Ark Tindal Academy Whole-School Home Learning Policy September 2013

Always be generous with support, praise and encouragement! Try to give specific praise that focuses on a particular aspect of their work, saying something like: I like the way you have When you praise, also try to find ways to encourage them onwards, such as Do you think you could try the same thing using (for example, an even longer sentence/an even bigger number) And always encourage your child to take a real pride in their work. NB: Help and support for homework can be given by any trusted person it could be a brother, sister, grandparent or neighbour. And it doesnt have to be the same person every time either! Use the language you normally use at home. Homework can be discussed in any language! When finished Your child should sign the homework to show it has been done and comment on how easy/difficult it was. You should sign the Parent/Carer comment box, then tick one of the boxes: With Help - if your child needed help to do the homework Alone - if your child worked alone Confidently - if your child worked alone and did the work confidently Theres also space for you to write a comment to the teacher to share a difficulty or a special achievement, for example. Finally, make sure the Workabook goes back to school every day. Remember to contact your childs class teacher immediately should you have any concerns or questions about Home learning.

Ark Tindal Academy Whole-School Home Learning Policy September 2013