The importance of homework to support learning

Research tells us that homework is important. It helps students to become more confident and knowledgeable learners. This is evidenced in research from the Education Endowment Foundation, whose research shows that homework has a positive effect, particularly in Secondary Schools, helping students to make progress of more than +5 months.  

Homework is even more valuable when it is related to learning that has taken place during school time and is based on our curriculum journey. 

How will we set homework?

Homework for all subjects will be set via Google Classroom.  The only exception to this will be Maths, where homework is set directly on a platform called Dr Frost and students receive an email to their school gmail account which tells them what work has been set for them. 

Each student has a google classroom for every subject that they study. Google classroom is a learning platform that allows teachers to communicate and set work easily and paperless.  Teachers set up their classroom and invite their students to join via email. 

Once they have, students can access lesson resources, homework assignments and other learning tools.  They can hand in work via the classroom, ask questions of the teacher and even work together to collaborate. 

Parents can be invited to join the classroom. When a teacher invites a parent to a google classroom they can see daily and weekly summaries of what their child has accomplished and view any class announcements. 

In order to access their google classroom students will need to regularly check their school email.  All Towers School emails end in @towers.school and begin with the year that they started. 

All students have a school email which they can log into by clicking here

What type of homework will be set? 

At Towers we have a hybrid approach to homework and staff will set one of the following types or a combination of the below - 

Retrieval practice: 

Retrieval is when a person needs to actively retrieve information from their own memory, rather than rely on an external source providing it for them.  It is an extremely effective way to slow the process of forgetting.  

The easiest way to do this is by asking students questions about things that they have already learnt.  What we are aiming to do is to move pieces of information from their short term memory into their long term memory.  Most retrieval tasks will be set by the class teacher.  

Examples of retrieval practice: 

• Asking a student a question based on something that they have learnt in the past.
• Students self quizzing 
• Trying to replicate notes/a diagram from memory

Application: 

Application homeworks will take place where subjects want the students to use the knowledge that they have applied in class to a particular task.  For example a student may be asked to complete a written task based on a topic that they have been studying in a lesson over the last week.  For those students in KS4  these homeworks might relate directly to a piece of coursework or a practice examination question. 

Broader Curriculum  tasks

Students will be able to select from a number of different tasks that they can complete across a term.  These homework tasks will predominately take place across Visual Arts, Performing Arts and PE. 

Online learning platforms at Towers School 

At Towers we use two main homework platforms. 

1. Dr Frost - all maths homework is set on Dr Frost for year 7-11.  Students practice what they have learnt in class before completing a test.  Students are emailed directly the link to their homework via their google email account.  Logins for the platform are given directly to students and if they have difficulties logging in they should contact, via email, their Maths teacher. Dr Frost can be completed on a variety of devices. 

https://www.drfrostmaths.com/ 

1. Carousel - a number of subjects will use this online learning platform to set retrieval quizzes for students to complete.  The link for the quiz will be shared to google classroom and all students will need to log on will be their name!   Carousel uses flashcards to help students revise before they take their Quiz. Students self assess their work and decide whether or not the answer they have given is correct.  Teachers can then moderate their marking.  Teachers may also provide students with a ‘Study Pack’ which means they can create their own flashcards and quiz as part of their independent learning.  Carousel can be completed on a variety of digital devices.

Homework Hubs

We understand that not all students can access devices easily at home.  Therefore we are introducing Homework Hubs.  These spaces will be available for students to pop into before school, after school and during their year group recreation time. Students will be able to access a chrome book and complete the online elements of their homework. 

Homework Hubs for terms 1-2 will be in DT5

Expectations

We expect all students to engage with and complete their homework. Research tells us that those who regularly complete their homework improve their overall grades. Homework is designed to support the learning of our curriculum. 

• If a student is unsure or what they have to do for their homework, they should check the google classroom instructions and if necessary speak to their teacher directly. Communication is key. 
• If a student does not complete their homework there is potential that a detention will be set by the teacher. 
• Homework detentions will take place during recreation time. 
• Communications will take place with parents, where homework has not been completed. 

Rewards 

With the introduction of Class Charts parents will be able to see students awarded with Merits for the completion of homework.  Students can receive Merits for homework consistency and excellence.

A Demerit for ‘failure to complete homework’ will be issued in situations where students have not engaged with their homework tasks. We would encourage all students to regularly check their school emails to ensure they do not miss a homework deadline. 

Programme of Homework - Year 7-9

Programme of Homework - Year 10 -11