Homework Policy

Policy Statement

Title of Policy

Homework Policy

Rationale:

This policy encourages a sense of responsibility for homework amongst all school partners. The final responsibility for satisfactory completion of homework rests with the learner. Regular homework is a valuable aspect of the learning process and contributes to the development of sound study skills. It consolidates and supplements the work done in class and promotes independent learning and creativity.

Relationship to school’s Mission, Vision, Aims:

This policy encourages the active involvement and participation of pupil, teacher, parent in the holistic development of the pupil.

Goals

Students will record each homework in their diary.
Students should have an entry to correspond with each subject on their timetable for each day and completed homework should be ticked off by students.
Homework must be completed to the satisfaction of the teacher.
To promote the development by students of good study habits and effective study skills
To enable students to develop a capacity to organise their own work
To enhance the academic achievement of students
To encourage parents to take an interest in and to share responsibility for their children’s work and progress
Homework journals should be inspected and signed every week by a parent/guardian.
Journals may be inspected at the discretion of the class tutor.
As a general guideline it is recommended that
1^st year students should spend up to 2 hours, 2^nd Years 2¹/₂ hours, and 3^rd years 3 hours on homework.

Senior cycle students should aim to incorporate homework and exam revision into their study. As a guideline 5th Year students should spend up to 3 hours at homework and 6th Year students a minimum of 3 hours.

N.B. It is recommended that all students implement a study timetable after written assignments have been completed to ensure that revision work is carried out in every subject on a daily basis.

Policy Content

Homework set will be purposeful and meaningful to the work of the class or to some future work.
Extended exercises may form part of an on-going assessment of each student.
Students must present homework on the date specified by the teacher.
Students absent due to school related activities (e.g. matches, quizzes etc.) must ensure that homework set in their absence is completed.
A student absent for a period of time is expected to make every effort to complete work missed while absent.
A student absent for an extended period should contact the principal for a record of homework set during this period.
If there are extenuating circumstances verification note to be presented to that effect at the beginning of class.
In the event of non-compliance with this policy the following will apply:

Non-completion 1^st time	⇒	Incident will be recorded by the subject teacher in own diary.
	⇒	Incident will be recorded in the student diary and will be signed by the parents. Supplementary work may be issued by the teacher.
2^nd offence	⇒	Standard letter posted to parents. Reply slip to be returned to subject teacher.
3^rd offence	⇒	Yellow Card
4^th offence	⇒	Referred to Management.

Importance of Revision

It is important for students to differentiate between homework and revision.

Written homework.
Learning / memorizing homework.
Revision.

(1) Written homework and (2) learning will be set by the subject teachers, while students are encouraged to develop responsible (3) revision and study habits.

Scientific Research.

Psychologists have found that in order to retain material over long periods it should be studied and revised regularly.

No revision	Regular Revision
80% is lost after 1 day	80 – 90% is retained.
90% is lost after 1 week
98% is lost after 3 weeks
After 6 months nothing remains.	After 6 months it is lodged in the long term memory.

Frequent revision will improve your memory.

The 6 step revision approach

Keeps your memory up in the high zone.

Roles and Responsibilities in developing and implementing the policy:

Student	→	Record, complete and tick homework completed. Develop a revision programme at the beginning of each term and implement same on a daily basis. (Use of resources such as www.skoool.ie in formulating study timetable and revision notes.)
Parents	→	Verify completion of all homework and revision on a weekly basis, with signature in diaries Monitor the implementation of revision timetable on a weekly basis.
Subject Teacher	→	To set appropriate and relevant homework and monitor its completion.
Class Tutor	→	To give presentation to each class on study and revision skills at the beginning of each academic year. To inspect diary at their own discretion.
Management	→	Relevant sanctions will be implemented against those students who regularly fail to present appropriate homework.

Implementation Procedures

Present to staff at a plenary session

Present to parents council for consultation

Present to Students' Council for consultation.

Modify if necessary

Refer to Board of Management for final approval.

Success Criteria

Work accurately recorded and presented in a manner commensurate with learner’s ability
The goals are being attained
All school partners are satisfied with the effectiveness of this policy.

Monitoring Procedures.

Formal discussion at staff level, before Christmas with input from tutor, subject teachers and management.
Parent Council Consultation
Students' Council Consultation
Failure to record homework or get parental signature will be recorded by tutor and referred to management.

Review Procedures (who will do what when):

Implement September 2008
Review at staff meeting before end of first term.
Feedback from Parents’ Council and Students' Council by May 2009.
Amendments (after staff consultation ) to be introduced in September 2008.

Approval

This policy has been approved by the Board of Management on

_______________________

Signed; ______________________

Chairperson

Appendix 1

Pupil: ______________________

Class: ______________________

Date: ______________________

Dear Parent/Guardian,

I am writing out of concern that _____________________ has recently had problems completing and presenting his ___________________ homework on time.

As you can understand, we regard this as a serious matter. Homework forms an essential part of the school’s curriculum and failure to complete it will seriously hinder his academic progress.

I think it is in ______________________ best interest that I bring this matter to your attention.

Yours sincerely,

_____________________________

-------------------------------------------------#----------------------------------------------------------------

Reply Slip

I have received the homework letter dated __________________________

Signature of Parent/Guardian __________________________

Pupil’s Name: __________________________

Appendix 2
Study Timetable: My aim is to __________________________________________________________________________
Time	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday
4.30 – 5.00
5.00 – 6.00
6.00 – 7.00
7.00 – 8.00
8.00 – 9.00
9.00 – 10.00
List your subjects
Tick them off to see your progress.
On this week I took some more steps towards meeting my aim.