Departmental Homework Policy
Homework is issued on a regular basis from the English department across all year groups and is integral in supporting the teaching and learning which takes place daily within the classroom.
Homework is designed to allow pupils to consolidate their learning, practise and develop their literacy skills, as well as working towards folio completion and course assessments within the senior phase.
In S1 – S3, Homework is usually given on a weekly basis and may include the following:
- Selected close reading or textual analysis exercises
- Personal reading for enjoyment
- Completion of individual research or project work
- Completion or redrafting of extended writing tasks
S1 pupils may also make use of the online program ‘Literacy Planet’ to complete literacy homework activities. These may be set by the class teacher or may take the form of ‘free play’ to allow pupils the opportunity to consolidate and further develop their skills in reading and writing. Pupils will be provided with their own log-in details in order to access the platform.
In S4-S6, Homework is more frequent and ongoing throughout the year. It is often linked to up-coming course deadlines and assessments and can include a selection of the following:
- Selected RUAE exercises from the appropriate ‘Homework Booklet’
- Reading of non-fiction articles/journalism to enhance knowledge of language
- Reading sections of literature texts that are being studied in class
- Completion of extended writing pieces
- Redrafting of extended writing pieces
- Completion of independent research
- On-going revision of key skills addressed in class work
- Exam preparation & practise of past papers
(For a note of course assessment dates and deadlines, please see the appropriate section of this site for more information.)
Pupils in all year groups will be given advance warning of homework and adequate time, depending on the nature of the task, for its completion. Homework is recorded on the ‘Show my Homework’ App and can be checked by parents.
Should homework not be submitted on time, or be of an unacceptable standard, parents/guardians will be notified through the App. The English department wishes to work in partnership with parents/guardians to ensure that pupils experience the best learning and teaching, and homework is included within this.
