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Orchard Park High School

Homework

"Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out."

Homework is set for students to ensure that they consolidate and embed their learning through re-visiting and re-learning the topics that they study in lessons. In collaboration with other schools in the Greenshaw Learning Trust, we have created high quality ‘Knowledge Organisers’ for students self-quizzing homework, alongside the most impactful online learning apps. Finally, we place a high priority on reading, which is one of the most valuable things that young people can do to enhance their ability to learn across all of their subjects.

Self-quizzing
 

Students complete independent reading and self-quizzing every night. Students also complete weekly Sparx Maths work online. 

Students are expected to complete the following:

  • Self-quizzing

Students complete 10 self-quizzing questions from their knowledge organisers. Each day, they complete a different subject as per the self-quizzing timetable. This is checked by tutors every morning during Roll Call. Please see the video below that explains self-quizzing. 

  • Maths homework – Sparx
    Students complete weekly Sparx homework that will be checked by the maths department.

  • Independent reading
    Students are expected to complete 30 minutes of independent reading each night.

  • Homework set on Google Classroom (Year 9, 10 and 11)

Each evening, homework will be set by class teachers in line with the timetable below. This homework will take approximately one to two hours to complete (depending on the year group). This will be set on Google Classroom. 

 Students who fail to complete homework will sit a 1-hour study support session that afternoon. Completion of self-quizzing and Maths app homework will be reported in termly KS3 reports.

Google Classroom

We now use ‘Google Classroom’, a free web service that allows teachers to provide students with resources, support and guidance. Students will be given instructions on how to access this site, to find any resources that they may want or need. If assistance is needed to access your Google Classroom please click here.

Homework is important because: 

  1. It improves your thinking and memory.
  2. It helps you develop positive study skills and habits that will serve you well throughout life.
  3. Homework encourages you to use time wisely.
  4. It teaches you to work independently and teaches you to take responsibility for your work.
  5. It allows you to review and practise what has been covered in class.
  6. It helps you to get ready for the next day’s classes.
  7. Homework helps you learn to use resources, such as libraries, reference materials, and computer websites to find information.
  8. It encourages you to explore subjects more fully than classroom time permits.
  9. It allows you to extend learning by applying your skills to new situations.
  10. It helps you integrate learning by applying many different skills to a single task.
  11. Homework helps your parents/carers to engage with and understand the learning that is happening in school.

Completing homework – a guide for students 

  1. Be clear on the homework task – ask questions if you are unsure what to do.
  2. Stick to the schedule – it is designed to help you with organisation.
  3. Meet all deadlines – check the schedule daily so that you know what to complete
  4. Work in a quiet place, away from any technology which will distract you.
  5. Put your best effort into your work. Never rush, take your time so that all the work is easy to read.
  6. Keep standards of presentation of book work high; be proud of your work.
  7. Proofread your work out loud before submission – remove errors, particularly SPAG and improve the quality of your work by choosing better words/rephrasing sentences/building on your answers.
  8. Catch up on homework after absence, as you are expected to complete all the tasks in your homework booklet.
  9. If you forget your homework, you will receive a sanction. You must submit your homework to your teacher the next day.
  10. Do not graffiti on the cover of the exercise book or Super Learning Book. It should only show name/class details. You will have to replace a lost or defaced book.

Presentation code 

  • Always use a black pen – this is a requirement in all external examinations.
  • Draw in pencil.
  • Use a ruler where necessary.
  • Always provide a heading and date for your work, which are underlined.
  • Draw a neat line through an error.
  • Underline all headings.
  • No correction fluid.
  • No gel or felt pens.
  • No graffiti or doodling on your books or journal.