Homework Guidance for KS2

The children at Dry Drayton are encouraged to work very hard at school and make the most of the time that they spend here. Whilst their school day ends at 3.15, their education does not. Many children will have after school activities to attend that are important to their all round development. In addition to this, we strongly feel that pupils need some time at the end of the school day to relax and play – vital ingredients for good child development!

Therefore at Dry Drayton we promote a homework policy that seeks to strike a balance. This means a policy of regular meaningful homework that supports and reinforces the work in the classroom yet which still allows for plenty of “free time” so necessary for other areas of good child development. We believe school homework should enrich a child’s education and not be seen as some kind of chore or punishment.

We value your support in helping your child in their work at home and we would ask that you help your child by encouraging him/her to work in a quiet area away from the TV and by monitoring the quality of that work.

Homework will vary depending on the age of your child and on activities taking place in school. This leaflet offers general guidelines.

Key Stage 2 – Years 3, 4, 5 and 6

English/Topic Work

An English or topic piece will be set each week, relating to the learning in class. We try to ensure the work set is as creative and enjoyable as possible. In addition to this a piece of spelling work will be given.

Reading – We would like the children to continue reading at home as much as possible – at least 30 minutes a day. Many younger children will still enjoy reading aloud and being read to. Many older children will simply like to “lose themselves” in a book. Encourage your child in all their reading, whatever the reading matter – fiction, non-fiction, magazines, comics, newspapers etc. Discuss issues from their reading with them. 

Maths Work       

A Maths based task will be set each week which may consolidate the week’s learning or provide an investigational challenge.

Learning the Tables – In Year 3/4 we will do weekly tests during the mental starters and children will be set one times table to learn every week. Learning specified tables may be a part of the homework set some weeks if relevant. In Year 5/6 the children complete a times table challenge each week in class. The children need to continuously learn and practise their times tables, up to the 12 x table at home.

Investigational work

Many children really enjoy trying to find out more about what they are studying at school. This might mean looking through reference books, a visit to the library or looking up information on the “web” for those children who have access to the Internet. (Please see our guidance on e-safety.)

Finishing off schoolwork

Many children enjoy taking work home to finish off. We generally encourage this as a positive thing. We want to encourage and foster a joy of learning where our children want to learn. We do not like having to send unfinished work home as a punishment, as this can discourage a positive attitude to work. However, in extreme cases, and with the agreement of the parents, we will do so.

Additional individual work

There may be times where your child may receive additional individual work. Usually this would be to reinforce work being covered in class, to help them over a particular problem they are having, or to extend their understanding.

It is important to note that teachers may at times replace traditional homework with other tasks (for example, learning songs/scripts for productions).

Other “homework”

Some parents enjoy completing additional tasks with their children at home and this is something we would encourage. However, although teachers are able to suggest particular tasks that could be completed, we cannot produce individualised homework tasks for all children.

There are many other ways that you can support your child’s all round education:

Playing games, visiting places of interest, encouraging work on individual interests such as sport, music, etc., practising computer skills, talking about current affairs, etc. In addition, we would always encourage wider reading for all children.

All will help your child develop into a rounded individual.