Homework Policy

 

1. Introductory Statement

This Homework Policy is a statement that outlines, informs, and guides homework practices in our school. In Scoil Mhuire, we see homework as a means of fostering pupils’ independence, cooperation, self-esteem, responsibility and commitment to lifelong learning. We see homework as being a means of reinforcing what our pupils learn at school, while also providing a valuable home-school link that actively encourages parental involvement in their child’s education and day-to-day learning. 

 

The policy was drafted through collaborative engagement of the teaching staff under the direction of the Principal and Special Educational Needs Coordinator, with valuable input from the wider staff team, parents/guardians, and the Board of Management.  

 

 

2. Rationale

The purpose of this Homework Policy is to:

• Assist parents/guardians in supporting their child’s engagement in homework activity.
• Outline the respective roles of the partners in education in relation to homework provision in our school. 
• Guide homework practices in our school.

 

 

3. Relationship to the Characteristic Spirit of the School

Scoil Mhuire is committed fully to supporting the learning of its pupils in a manner that is responsive to the needs of the individual learner. The regular assignment of engaging, appropriate and differentiated homework encourages our pupils to work independently and to share responsibility for their learning and their progress at school with their class teacher and with their family. 

 

4. Aims

The aims of this Homework Policy are to:

• Promote the use of homework to consolidate learning and work being done at school.
• Develop and encourage the habit of independent study.
• Enable children to develop a sense of responsibility and independence.
• Enhance self-esteem through the provision of a work menu that is attainable.
• Further develop links between home and school.
• Keep parents/guardians connected and involved in their child’s learning.
• Promote consistency and a uniform approach to homework across all teaching settings and class levels.

 

 

5. Guidelines for Implementation

 

5.1 Guidelines for Teachers

• Homework is an integral part of the subject being taught and is given to consolidate work completed at school.
• Homework is prepared thoroughly and the tasks to be completed are explained clearly to the pupils.
• Homework is assigned consistently.
• Teachers check that homework is being completed and provide extra guidance where difficulties occur. 
• Teachers differentiate homework as appropriate for pupils with additional learning needs, including more able pupils.

 

 

5.2 Guidelines for Parents

Scoil Mhuire encourages the active involvement of parents/guardians in enabling their child to take responsibility and work independently. Parents are encouraged to:

• Establish a set routine and time for their child to do his/her homework.
• Supervise their child’s homework, checking the homework when it is completed.
• Allowing their child to work independently, as far as possible, as they should be able to complete most of their homework with minimal support.
• Remember that time devoted to reading and learning is as important as written work.
• Contact the class teacher if homework has not been completed due to unforeseen circumstances.
• Let the class teacher know if homework is too difficult or too easy and needs to be differentiated further. 

 

 

5.3 Expectations of Pupils

It is expected that pupils will:

• Complete and present their homework to the best of their ability.
• Return their homework on time.
• Appreciate that study tasks and learning spellings and tables are as important as written tasks.

 

 

5.4 Assignment of Homework

• Homework is assigned each weeknight except for Fridays.
• Homework may be assigned on Fridays if it has been neglected by a pupil during the week.
• Weekend project work may be undertaken in senior classes.
• Occasionally, at the discretion of the class teacher or the Principal, pupils may be given a homework-free night as a treat or as an acknowledgment of some special occasion.
• Mindful and Movement Mondays take place during the year. On these occasions, no written homework is assigned. Instead, a range of mindful and movement activities is assigned. 
• Wellbeing Wednesdays take place during Term 3. On Wellbeing Wednesdays, no written homework is assigned. Instead, a choice of wellbeing activities is assigned.
• In general, written homework is not assigned during the month of June. 

 

 

5.5 Homework Content

• Homework will, in general, contain a balance of reading tasks, learning tasks and written tasks.
• Homework will regularly contain reading, spellings, tables, written work, pieces to be learned by heart, drawing/colouring, collecting information/items and finishing work started in class.
• Pupils may 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 that this work is done well.          

 

 

5.6 Time for Homework

• Different pupils 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 completed that matters. 
• The following are general time guidelines, and homework completion should not exceed the times indicated: 

 

Class	Time for Homework
Junior & Senior Infants & Rainbow	10 to 15 minutes
1st & 2nd Classes	20 to 30 minutes
3rd & 4th Classes	30 to 40 minutes
5th & 6th Classes	40 to 60 minutes

 

• Where a pupil receives homework from their special education teacher (SET), the class teacher and SET will collaborate in relation to the nature and type of homework the child is to receive. 
• Homework for pupils in Rainbow is at the discretion of the class teacher in collaboration with parents/guardians.

 

 

5.7 Helping my Child with their Homework

Parents/guardians should try to help their child with homework by:

• Providing them with a suitable place and time to complete their homework.
• Preventing interruptions or distractions, like TV or other children.
• Children should do written homework themselves and parents/guardians should only help if the child is experiencing difficulty.
• Where a child is experiencing difficulty completing the assigned homework, the parent/guardian should help the child to overcome the difficulty by providing further explanation or examples, but not by completing the homework for them. In this case, the parent/guardian should message the class teacher on ClassDojo explaining the difficulty.
• Shared reading is not homework in the regular sense. It is simply meant to be an enjoyable exercise between parent and child.

 

 

5.8 Communication of Homework

• Homework is communicated at the start of the week by the class teacher on ClassDojo.
• Parents/guardians should check their child’s homework each evening.

 

 

5.9 Teacher Monitoring of Homework

• In most instances, class teachers monitor homework daily. 
• As pupils get older and learn to work more independently, some items of homework may be monitored less often, e.g. every second day or once per week.
• Some items of homework may be checked by the pupils themselves, under the direction of the class teacher. 

 

 

5.10 Communicating with the Class Teacher about Homework

Parents/guardians are encouraged to communicate with the class teacher in the following circumstances:

• If the child cannot do their homework due to family circumstances.
• If the child cannot do their homework because she/he cannot understand some aspect of the work assigned.
• If the time being spent at homework is regularly longer than the amount of time recommended.
• If the completion of homework is regularly a stressful experience for child and parent.

 

 

6. Success Criteria

The schoolwide implementation of this policy will result in:

• A shared understanding by pupils, parents/guardians and teachers regarding our school’s homework practices.
• Pupils consistently completing assigned homework to a good standard.
• A reduction in possible pressures on pupils and/or parents/guardians with regard to homework completion and effective intervention where the assignment of homework is proving to be consistently challenging.
• Positive progress in the learning of our pupils and in their sense of themselves as learners. 

 

 

7. Ratification & Communication

This Homework Policy was ratified by the Board of Management on 11 June 2024 following consultation with staff and parents/guardians. It has been made available to school personnel via our Google Shared Drive and is published on the school website.

 

 

8. Monitoring & Evaluation

The implementation of this Homework Policy will be monitored by the Principal and Board of Management, in consultation with school staff and parents/guardians.

 

Monsignor Denis Lennon                                        Dr Mags Jordan

Chairperson of Board of Management                    Principal/Secretary to Board of Management

11 June 2024                                                            11 June 2024