Homework Policy for St. Mary’s Senior School
September 2023
Introduction
This policy was revised in 2011, 2013 and following the circulation of a questionnaire to parents/guardians regarding the school’s approach to homework in June 2023, it was considered necessary to review and update the policy.
Aims/Rationale
- To reinforce what the child learns during the day
- To provide a link between teacher and parent/guardian
- To develop a child’s concentration skills and develop a work ethic
Approach to homework:
Homework is given every night. At the discretion of the class teacher or the principal, children are given “Homework off” as a reward or as acknowledgment of some special occasion.
Please note extra homework may be sometime be given if a child has not done homework, made a suitable effort or presented untidy work.
Homework is meant to be achievable by a child, i.e. it provides an opportunity to practise work already done. It will ideally contain a balance between reading tasks, learning tasks and written tasks. This balance is not always possible and can vary considerably from day to day. However, it should be noted that homework time devoted to reading and learning is as important as written work. Children often feel that reading and “learning by heart” is not real homework. Parents/Guardians can play an important role in listening to reading and items to be learned ensuring this work is done well.
Homework is normally prepared by the teacher in class. However, sometimes with senior classes, some homework is designed to challenge children’s ability and provide opportunities for creativity
Children are expected to do their homework to the best of their individual ability – no more, no less.
Guidelines for time spent at homework
The following are guidelines for time spent at homework. Different children will complete the same homework in different lengths of time. Time spent will vary from day to day and also from the beginning to the end of the school year. It is important to remember that it is the quality and not the quantity of homework that matters. The following timeframes are general guidelines only:
2nd Class: approximately 30-40 minutes
3rd Class: approximately 30-40 minutes
4th Class: approximately 30-40 minutes
5th and 6th Class: approximately 50-60 minutes
How much help should parents/guardians give?
- Parents/guardians should try to help their children with homework by:
- Providing them with a suitable place and time to do their homework
- To prevent interruptions or distractions, like T.V. or other children
- Children should do written homework themselves and parents/guardians should only help when the child has difficulty
- If a child has difficulty with homework, the parents/guardians should help the child to overcome the difficulty with further explanation or examples, but not by actually doing the homework for the child. In this case the parent/guardians should send a notice on Aladdine to the teacher explaining the problem
- Shared reading is not homework in the regular sense and it is simply meant to be an enjoyable exercise between parent and child. If it’s not enjoyable, shared reading should not be done.
How often should parents monitor homework?
- Parents/guardians should check and sign a child’s homework journal every evening
- The pupil’s homework journal is an important record of the child’s homework. It is also a valuable means of communication between parents/guardians and teachers
- Please check that your child records his/her homework neatly in the correct page and ticks each item of homework when completed
How often do teachers monitor homework?
- Ideally teachers like to check homework on a daily basis. However with large class numbers it is not always possible to check each child’s homework every day
- As children get older and learn to work independently, some items of homework are checked less often e.g. every second day or once per week
- Some items of homework (and classwork) may be checked by children themselves under the direction of the teacher. This can be a useful part of the learning process for children.
When should parents communicate with the teachers about homework?
- When your child cannot do homework due to family circumstances
- When your child cannot do homework because she/he cannot understand some aspect
- If the time being spent at homework is often longer than the recommended amount of time.
When should homework be done?
- Each family situation is different – both parents working, child minders, etc. Ideally, homework should be done before any television is watched soon after school while your child is still fresh, however, some children need a break before starting homework
- Homework should never be left until morning time before school
Remember
If homework is a stressful experience between parent and child, something is wrong! This leads to poor learning and defeats the whole purpose. Should this happen on a regular basis, please contact the class teacher.
This policy was reviewed and ratified by the Board of Management on 25.09.2023
John Martin
John Martin,
Chairperson