Preparation at home helps to develop good study habits, which are essential for life-long learning. This helps students prepare for future learning and so at Varndean School homework is called Preparation.
We constantly review our practice against the latest research to ensure we are evidence informed in our decision making.
The current evidence suggests that the quality of the task set is more important than the quantity of work required from the pupil. There is some evidence that the impact of homework diminishes as the amount of time pupils spend on it increases. The studies reviewed with the highest impacts set homework which was made up of very short tasks.
Evidence also suggests that how homework relates to learning during normal school time is important. In the most effective examples homework was an integral part of learning, rather than an add-on, for example retrieval needed for the next Do Now task.
The tasks set will include but are not limited to, reading, guided revision tasks, practice questions or revisiting material in advance of a lesson.
In the lower years the frequency and length of prep tasks will be lower. In higher years revision tasks and practice will form the main part of prep tasks.
This helps students to become independent learners without the need to always have direct supervision. It can encourage a love of learning and play a big part in personalising learning. It extends and develops the work done in school and encourages research and experimentation. It can make use of resources not normally available in the classroom. At Varndean School homework is Preparation for learning.
Homework is set on google with students being invited by their teacher to the relevant classroom.
