At Larkspur Primary Academy, we believe that home learning should develop children into independent learners, allowing children to practise and consolidate the skills learnt during school. It will act as a vehicle for generating interest in learning topics. Home learning tasks can encourage and promote parental involvement in learning in school and can develop independent study and research skills.

We recognise that homework is not statutory but that it is crucial to supporting the learning happening at school. If a child regularly fails to complete homework, then the class teacher should discuss, first with the child and then with the parent, the problems they might be experiencing and look for possible solutions.

Home/School Links

Parents will be invited to meet the class teacher during the first week of the Autumn Term for a short information session and will also have termly parent meetings (including structured conversations as set out in the SEND Policy)

Homework may be paper based or set via Google Classroom. Parents will be kept clearly informed of the homework being set and should be given appropriate information to enable them to help via instructions on Google classroom.

Content and Progression

Homework is about practising and developing knowledge of the basic skills through fun and engaging activities appropriate to their age and ability.

Spelling and Number Facts

Children will be taught strategies which they can use to learn spellings, number bonds, number facts or times tables effectively and these can be used to practise at home.

Reading

Every child will be encouraged to read at home daily, but it is expected that they read at least 3 times per week. Each child needs to bring their completed reading records into school every day which will be looked at by their class teacher.

Nursery will choose a library book from the class collection.

Reception/KS1 will receive a Phonics book matched to their phonics ability. This book is one which they can read fluently without any support from an adult. This book may be the book which they are reading at school in the ‘Reading group’ and it may be in the form of an Ebook.

Books are changed when they have been read at home. Children will also choose a library book to take home, which we call a ‘sharing book’. This book is to be shared at home to develop a love of reading.

KS2 children will receive a book matched to their reading level plus a library book (sharing book) chosen by the child. Teachers may recommend books to encourage a ‘balanced diet’ across different genres

Feedback

In line with our feedback policy, reflection is seen as an opportunity to develop pupils into critical learners whereby they begin to recognise areas of development for themselves. Enabling them to  understand where/how to develop their learning. Homework will be discussed either in a conference with the pupils and their teacher, or feedback will be given directly via Google classroom.

Inclusion Statement

The governors and staff at Larkspur Primary Academy are committed to working with all members of our school community to ensure that everyone has equal access to opportunities to develop and succeed and that no member of this school will suffer or be disadvantaged by direct or indirect discrimination.