KS3 Homework Overview

Knowledge is power; we make it stick

Purpose of Homework

Homework is used as a tool for students to consolidate learning already acquired through the delivery of the curriculum. It provides an opportunity to overlearn topics, skills, and knowledge to support long term memory – interleaving of both current and past learning to ensure skills and knowledge stick.  Through using low stakes quizzing, teachers' understanding of student learning is informed, supporting further planning for individuals.

Reading

All students are expected to have an age-appropriate book which they are currently reading. They should aim to read for at least 30 minutes each evening.

Studies show that students who do not read daily are less likely to achieve the best grades at GCSE, A levels and beyond, and are less likely to access the best job opportunities in the future.

KS3

Following feedback from students and parents/carers, we have adapted our homework approach to make it easier for students to use effectively, as well as for parents to support their child to be successful with homework.

At KS3 we have moved all aspects of our homework online, and will send a weekly ‘Homework Blast’ directly to parents and students via the Class Charts App so there is clarity on the tasks that need to be completed. We use three homework platforms to support student learning in improving literacy, numeracy and core knowledge of our curriculum to ensure students build positive habits around independent learning, ready for the demands of KS4 and beyond.

All KS3 Students will be set homework on Fridays which will be distributed to parents and students in the same format each week via the Class Charts App, and all set homework is due at 8:00pm the following Thursday.

Expectations:

• All students will complete weekly Bedrock Tasks on grammar and vocabulary (20 Points on the Bedrock System)
• All students will complete weekly Sparx Homework – measured by completion rate or a maximum of 1 hour spent.
• All students will complete weekly Carousel quizzes based on core curriculum knowledge. Students will be expected to complete a total of 80 quiz questions across the week, based on content from the subjects they are studying. Students are expected to complete quizzes at an 80% success rate.
• Homework will not be due in the holidays or assessment windows, however ‘Revision Quizzes’ will be available for students to use and revise at their own discretion.

Sanctions and Rewards:

• All three homework approaches will be centrally tracked & due on Thursday evenings at 8:00pm.
• Successful completion will result in positive points as well as rewards from Achievement Leaders.
• Incomplete homework will initially result in detentions.
  • Students have 3 platforms to complete (Bedrock, Sparx and Carousel)
  • 1 incomplete homework platform results in a 30 minute sanction, 2 or more incomplete homework platforms results in 60 minute detentions.
  • 3 incomplete homework marks across separate weeks in a half term will potentially mean they join a compulsory homework club the following half term so the school can support the student to build better independent work habits.