Homework

Homework: Years 7-9 pupils will receive approximately 2 ½ hours of learning for home per week (30 mins daily, Monday-Friday). In Y10&11, pupils will be far more independent and focused towards their learning, so expectations around homework will centre around revision and exam preparation.  

As the research demonstrates, homework is only effective in accelerating pupil progress when it reinforces the teaching that happens in the classroom (link to EEF Homework Toolkit Homework | EEF) 

We are also acutely aware of the commitments families have to extracurricular activities through each week, which means homework must be both achievable and consistent week-to-week. Therefore, at Yewlands Academy, Years 7-9 pupils receive a focused and balanced approach to homework across each term: 

• 1 hour of weekly maths homework set via Sparx Maths (Yewlands Academy - Sparx Maths) 
• 90 minutes of homework around specific subject knowledge organisers. These subject homeworks will repeat and revise what has been taught in the classroom to increase the fluency of crucial knowledge. 

The current termly homework schedule for Y7-9 pupils is below. Homework is communicated home every week via our newsletter, emails and tutor time, where pupils will practice how to use their knowledge organisers:

Key Stage 3 homework schedule: 

• Weeks 3&7: English, Geography, Spanish, IT 
• Weeks 4&8: History, PE, RE, Music 
• Weeks 6&9: Art, Technology, Drama, Science 

Subject homework uses knowledge organisers to ensure pupils become fluent in crucial knowledge. At Yewlands Academy, we use a specific strategy to help pupils remember crucial knowledge: 

• Read aloud the word and the definition e.g. ‘protagonist = the main character of a story’  
• Write out the word and definition  
• Cover up the crucial knowledge 
• Recite the word and definition TWICE!  

Through this simple 'READ-WRITE-COVER-RECITE' approach to crucial knowledge retention, Yewlands pupils become fluent in hundreds and thousands of essential concepts from Year 7 to Year 11. By practising the use of this crucial knowledge in both the classroom and then at home, pupils will develop the fluency they need then to apply the knowledge in their own work to prove their understanding and level of achievement.  

At Key Stage 4, our Y10-11 pupils will receive regular homework across their core and option subjects using knowledge organisers and past GCSE exam papers. All homework for KS4 pupils will be communicated to parents on a weekly basis.  

For any questions around our homework policy, please contact Mr T Gardiner (Vice Principal) via Yewlands Academy - Contact Us.

Homework in Y7, Y8 and Y9 

Pupils in Y7-9 should be completing approximately 4 hours of study at home per week: 

• 60 minutes practise of maths via https://sparxmaths.com/ 
• 30 minutes of English revision using their knowledge organisers 
• 30 minutes of Spanish revision using their knowledge organisers 
• 30 minutes practise of Science via https://members.gcsepod.com/login 
• 20 minutes daily of private reading of a novel or autobiography of their choice – https://www.southsoundreading.org/resources/reading-research/ 

SPARX MATHS 

To support your child's progress in Maths, we are subscribed to Sparx Maths (www.sparxmaths.com), an online platform that provides personalized maths homework and practice. 

Each week, we will set compulsory maths homework via Sparx that should take around one hour to complete, with additional optional practice tasks available to accelerate progress. The platform adapts to your child's ability level and provides instant feedback and support videos when they get stuck. To keep you informed of your child's progress, you will receive a weekly email letting you know how they are getting on as consistent engagement with the platform makes a real difference to attainment in the classroom. 

You can find more information here https://sparxmaths.com/parents/ - login details are at the end of this letter. 

Spanish & English Homework 

As you will have seen within your child’s school bag, all Yewlands pupils have received a smart new folder containing their knowledge organisers for each and every subject that they study. 

Each week, your child will need to learn, revise and recite key vocabulary from their English and Spanish knowledge organisers. English and Spanish teachers will make it clear within lessons which section of the knowledge organiser is the homework each week. We will also communicate this information to parents in a weekly homework message. 

Pupils should learn these key words and terms using the ‘write-read-recite’ strategy: 

• Write out the key words and definitions from their English or Spanish knowledge organisers 
• Read them out clearly to themselves and parents/guardians 
• Cover up the words and recite/re-write to themselves and parents/guardians 
• This process should be repeated ahead of the weekly knowledge test in class 

Science PODS 

To support your child's progress in Science, we are subscribed to Science Pod (https://members.gcsepod.com/login), an online platform that provides personalized homework and practice. 

Science homework will be set weekly on GCSEPod. Pupils should be familiar with their logins by now, however, if they are unsure of their details, they may request this information from their Science teacher at the end of a lesson. 

The homework assigned will directly reinforce the knowledge being taught in Science, giving pupils additional practice to strengthen and deepen their understanding. We also encourage students to use their knowledge organiser as a helpful resource while completing their homework, ensuring it is by their side during the task. 

Please scan this QR code to see how you can further support your child’s reading at home.