Homework has its place in a balanced education and helps give boys independent learning skills which they will use at university and beyond.
We see homework, perhaps better referred to as ‘personal study and learning’ as a positive, enriching and essential part of the learning process which should be fun, not a chore.
The topic of how much homework is necessary or desirable for pupils’ progress, interest and understanding has been the subject of considerable debate, with some schools choosing to reduce the amount set to a minimum. We do not subscribe to the latter approach, yet we are aware that adjusting to increased homework demands is one of the challenges of the transition from junior to senior school.
Example – First Year homework schedule
- On average your son would receive 2-3 pieces of homework each night in the First Year and each piece of homework should take about 20 minutes to complete.
- In each term there will be a “homework holiday” week used for consolidating progress (for First and Second Year pupils only).
Setting and marking homework enables teachers to assess boys’ understanding regularly and to reinforce and extend work done in lessons. Homework also offers an important opportunity for the boys to learn the pleasure and good habits of private, independent study. We have high standards and the expectation is that all homework will be completed to the best of a boy’s ability and on time.
Bright boys should be inspired by their teachers and their subjects; without the opportunity to extend and stretch themselves in extra personal investigation and study they will be under-challenged and bored.
All boys in the First to Third Years have a homework planner so that parents can oversee the work and can communicate any difficulties quickly and easily (usually via e-mail) to the relevant subject teacher or the Form Tutor.
