Homework and Home Study

Why is homework valuable?

We believe homework is valuable because:

• It provides an opportunity for deliberate practice of key knowledge. This helps to instil effective memory habits which are crucially important if students are to learn well.
• It introduces and encourages the use of independent learning skills which (as well as being valuable at school) prepare students for Higher Education and beyond.
• It allows students time to apply information that they have acquired through the delivery of the curriculum.

How is homework set?

Homework is set on Microsoft Teams, an app to which all students have access. All homework will be assigned by class teachers on Microsoft Teams every Monday. Homework will be due on the first lesson with the assigned teacher the following week.

How much homework do students complete?

Here is an approximate guide to the amount of homework students should be doing each week:

Year 7:

1. Reading – 30 minutes per night
2. Mathematics- 30 minutes per week
3. English - 30 minutes per week
4. Science -30 minutes per week

Year 8:

1. Reading – 30 minutes per night
2. Mathematics- 30 minutes per week
3. English - 30 minutes per week
4. Science -30 minutes per week
5. Languages- 30 minutes per week

Year 9:

1. Reading – 30 minutes per night
2. Mathematics- 30 minutes per week
3. English - 30 minutes per week
4. Science -30 minutes per week
5. Languages- 30 minutes per week
6. Humanities (RE, History, Geography)- 30 minutes per subject per week

Year 10 and 11:

At least one hour of set homework per subject each week (plus additional home study)

Sixth Form:

A Level students should receive at least five hours of homework per subject each week. CTEC students should receive ten to fifteen hours of independent work to complete per week as they study a single subject.

What do homework tasks involve?

Subject specific homework

Preparatory learning tasks – students complete reading, guided research and other activities which help them to gain knowledge that will then be built upon or assessed in class by their teachers.

Consolidation tasks – students demonstrate knowledge they have already acquired in class completing tasks such as extended writing, problem sheets or longer project tasks.

The specific nature of these tasks will vary subject-by-subject. However, all students should expect to complete a rich variety of tasks in any given week.

Reading

Building a reading habit is imperative to develop key skills which students will use throughout their lives. A reading habit is linked to higher levels of intelligence. Reading helps to improve students’ vocabulary, think critically as well as learn new information. In addition, reading can have a positive impact on well-being. At Chobham, all students from years 7 to 10 complete the Accelerated Reader programme. Students choose a book bi-weekly in their English lessons. Students then complete an accelerated reader comprehension quiz online. According to research students who read for at least 30 minutes a day with a 90% comprehension on the AR quiz see the greatest progress. Students should complete 30 minutes of reading per day at home as part of their homework.

PSHE (ACT grid)

At Chobham, we want to develop students as responsible, informed, and aware young citizens who have the personal and social skills to pursue their ambitions and play a meaningful role in society. We want them to become self-reflective and active learners both within the Chobham community and the wider world. As part of PSHE students are provided with ACT grids in September and tasked with completing a set number over the course of the year. The grids include a whole range of activities such as visiting various museums, cooking a meal for your family, completing a 5km run and visiting universities.

Revision

Students will be given regular assessments as well as end of year examinations in all subjects. Teachers may ask students to revise for these assessments in addition to normal homework. We do not expect that revision should be burdensome to children in Years 7, 8 and 9. In Year 10 and especially in Year 11, students will be required to do significant extra preparation for assessments. This may amount to three-four hours work per evening in immediate pre-examination periods.

How do we support Chobham students to manage their workload and wellbeing?

As a school, we are very aware of the pressures which too much study can place on young people. This recognition needs to be balanced against the necessity for proper preparation if our students are to be academically successful. The question of ‘how much is too much?’ will inevitably vary between students. Consequently, our form tutors and Heads of Year (Achievement) will keep a close watch on the amount of home study students are doing.

We are mindful of student workload and try to ensure that homework and other forms of home study are relevant, useful and manageable for students. We also try to equip students with the organisational skills required to manage their workloads healthily.  If parents feel that the home study required is unreasonable at any particular time then they should contact their child’s Head of Year (Achievement) who will be happy to assist.