Home Learning at SSSO 

Homework Policy

Why do we set homework?

A clear and well-structured home learning programme helps students to develop the skills and attitudes they will need for successful lifelong learning. EEF research indicates that effective completion of homework can add up to five months of extra learning.

Home learning also supports the development of independent learning skills and provides parents with an opportunity to take part in their children’s education.

What is the 2-to-1 rule?

Teachers of KS3 and KS4 will give homework using the ‘2-to-1’ rule: for every two lessons in any subject, one homework task will be set.

Homework tasks will vary in difficulty, type and length depending on year group and the teacher’s judgement on what will help the students in the class to achieve their best. Teachers of post-16 subjects will issue homework for every lesson and will use Google classroom or Microsoft Teams as a learning platform if necessary.

How do teachers set homework?

At SSSO, we use the Satchel app (formerly known as ‘Show My Homework’) which students can access on a phone, tablet or PC. If students have issues accessing a device, they should let their Director of Learning know so that support can be provided.

Satchel is the online service that teachers use to set and track homework. It allows both parents and students to see the details of the task that has been set and when it is due. It also allows teachers to easily attach any resources to support students with the homework.

Satchel can help students in the following ways:

• Keep their homework tasks organised in one place
• Show reminders for when homework is due
• Shows how much homework students have so they can plan their time effectively
• Keeps students up to date with missed work when they are away from school
• Avoids the need for the students to write down the homework before leaving a lesson
• Facilitates access to resources from the lesson to provide more support at home.

What kind of homework will students receive?

Each homework task is different – it might be research, revision, or continuing work set in class. The work may not always be written or could be online. Therefore, the tasks set may not always be marked by the teacher or students might be asked to peer-assess each other.

If students do not complete homework, an appropriate sanction will be given. Merits will be logged on SIMS to recognise a student’s excellent effort.

 

How can students get help with homework?

Satchel makes it easy for a student to message their teacher with a question. However, students should be aware that teachers will not answer a message outside of school hours.

It’s also useful to have a homework buddy or small group for support – this is a great way for students to support each other if someone is struggling.

Please note that the library is open in the morning before school begins and Homework Club takes place there after school as well.

 

How can students study independently?

Students who want to excel look for opportunities to extend learning even when no homework is set.

Some examples of effective study habits:

• catch up with any work missed or not finished in class
• complete extra examples in an area with which they have problems
• tidy and organise material into topics
• read fiction books as suggested by the English teacher or Librarian
• read widely around current topics being covered in class
• read current affairs in newspapers and magazines
• practise skills as appropriate (e.g. music, tables, writing, sport)
• study for any tests or exams that may be coming up.

 

Updated April 2023