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Policies
Homework Policy September 2010
TITLE OF POLICY:
Homework
SCOPE (whole-school, departmental, subject-area, to whom does the policy apply?):
Whole School, subject departments, teachers, students, and parents.
RELATIONSHIP TO SCHOOL'S MISSION/VISION/AIMS:
Based on St. Mary's College current mission statement and aims, with emphasis on the aim "to educate the full potential of each student".
RATIONALE (why is the policy necessary?)
It complements each day's class work and allows student check her understanding of topics covered in class.
It promotes independent learning and fosters study skills for life-long learning.
It gives students practice in completing assignments and organizing time.
It encourages creativity.
It assists teachers in assessing progress and planning lessons.
GOALS/OBJECTIVES (in precise terms, what is the policy intended to achieve?)
What does homework consist of?
Students must be committed to doing homework in a planned and consistent manner.
Goals/Objectives
To ensure a consistent and measured approach to the setting of homework.
To spread the workload evenly - particularly for Form 4, SEN and State Exam students.
To enhance the academic progress of each individual student.
To encourage parents/guardians to provide practical support and to share in the responsibility for their daughters' progress.
POLICY CONTENT (the provisions of the policy, indicating the school's approach to this policy-area):
Every student will have homework each night.
The amount of homework will be reasonable - see guidelines on time.
Set work will be checked.
Homework will be purposeful, meaningful, and linked to class work.
It will be clearly explained and recorded daily in journals.
Homework will be differentiated for SEN students.
Teachers will maintain a balance between written work and learning - make homework an active exercise.
Teachers will assess for learning and of learning - ongoing assessment.
Teachers will provide training in homework skills for their particular subjects.
Teachers will communicate with parents when appropriate.
Teachers will keep records.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (what are the responsibilities of the various parties in the school community in the development, implementation and evaluation of this policy?):
Monitoring Procedures:
Subject teachers will conduct on-going monitoring through:
- Informal discussion/observation.
- Formal checks.
- Feedback from teachers, students, parents.
Subject Departments will review implementation and report to Principal and Deputy Principal.
Review Procedures
The policy will be reviewed after two years by Principal and Deputy Principal.
Views of the school community will be surveyed.
School records will be analysed to assess the impact on academic progress.
Special consideration will be given to the progress of SEN's.
SUCCESS CRITERIA (what indicators will be used to gauge the effectiveness of the policy?)
Homework is being presented.
The quality of homework is good.
Pressure on students is reduced.
Set goals are being achieved.
The school community find the policy effective.
IMPLEMENTATION PROGRAMME: (Action Plan)
Students will keep journals on desks and record homework for each subject class by class.
A student when absent is obliged to find out the homework and complete it.
Teachers will have spare journal sheets.
Students will be trained in correct use of the journal.
Journals will be used only for school purposes.
Adequate time will be given to record homework and check that set task is understood.
Journals will be checked randomly by all teachers.
Communications between teacher and parent in journal /by letter will be signed by parent/guardian.
Cost of journal included in September levy.
Journal at P/T meetings.
Develop active learning skills - read/reread, make notes, summarise, highlight, mind map,
"w" questions, key words, by rote, self-test.
Encourage students to set up a study/recreation plan/targets for year.
Display revised homework guidelines in classroom.
Existing sanctions to be continued - withholding of star/demerits for Juniors
- detention for Seniors (5 demerits).
Students sign document on homework.
Suggested Minimum times for Homework and Study each School Day:
Form 1 1.5 - 2 hrs.
Form 2: 2 - 2.5 hrs.
Form 3: 3hrs + Weekend: 3 hrs.
Form 4: Keep up to date with current tasks, assignments and projects.
Form 5: 3 - 3.5 hrs + Weekend: 4 hrs.
Form 6: 3 - 4 hrs + Weekend: 6hrs.
Timeframe:
Ratified by the Board of Management: 5th May 2010.
This policy will come into effect on: Monday 6th September 2010.
It will be reviewed after two years from implementation.