Homework

Why is homework important?

Homework is vital to ensuring success: our homework policy is grounded in reviewing the knowledge students have learnt in their lessons, which makes it more likely this knowledge will be retained in their long-term memory. It also supports revision for assessments and enables students to develop valuable skills in personal organisation. Students who regularly complete homework to a high standard make more progress than students who don’t.

When will homework be set?

For years 7-9 students will be set homework on a Friday and due the following Friday by 4pm. All homework will be set using an online learning platform – Sparx, Seneca or Languagenut as this provides students with immediate learning feedback. Students in KS3 will complete homework from English, Maths, Science weekly with History, Geography and Spanish being set fortnightly.

At KS4, students will be set homework for all subjects with English, Maths and Science being weekly and option subjects following a fortnightly cycle. Homework will be a bespoke mix of utilising online platforms alongside coursework and exam consolidation practice to meet the requirements of each subject discipline. Homework will be set on a Friday, with Year 11 being due the following Thursday by 8am and Year 10 by Friday by 4pm.

Information regarding homework expectations and completion, can be seen in the homework summaries below – they contain live links to access all homework.

Homework set and completed:

• weekly is highlighted orange = core subjects
• on a week A is highlighted green = Ebacc subjects
• on a week B is highlighted blue = option subject

What support is available?

We of course understand that some students find homework a difficult task and are still developing these study habits. It is for this reason that we put as much support as possible in place in school to help them. Lowry Academy provides opportunities for homework completion every day at lunch and after school in L8 where students will have the support of staff plus a full use of computers. We ask that you encourage your child to attend this support if they are struggling to complete any homework on their own at home.

What happens if a student doesn’t complete their homework?

All pupils are expected to have completed their homework by 4.00pm the following Friday (Thursday 8am for Y11).

Here at the Lowry academy, we welcome your full support in ensuring all pupils complete their homework on time and will ask students who have not completed either homework to complete a compulsory homework catch-up session. These will take place at the following times:

• Years 7 & 9 – Tuesday (3pm)
• Years 8 & 10 – Wednesday (3pm)
• Year 11 – Thursday or Friday (Lunchtime)

If your child is absent on these days, they will be expected to attend a catch-up session on a Thursday after school.

How will I know if my child has not completed their homework on time?

We will send you a text on a Monday to notify you if your child has not completed their homework on time for that week. As a result, they will need to attend a catch-up session, and you will be reminded on which day this will be. We have made the decision not to run any sessions on a Monday, so that we can give you at least 24 hours-notice.

How can you help your child with their homework?

Provide a quiet space for your child to focus on their homework each week. Encourage them to start their homework early so they can get help from their teacher or at one of the homework clubs before the deadline if needed. We hope you agree that homework will play an important role in growing your child’s understanding, success and confidence in their learning.  If you have any questions regarding homework, please feel free to initially contact your child’s subject teacher.