Homework - Tavernspite School

What is the best way for parents to support with homework?

Without question, regular parental involvement in their child’s education is of great benefit in terms of progress and motivation for learning. Homework is one of the most obvious way to do this, as it shows the level at which your child is working and supporting your child with their homework shows that you are interested in their education.

Children at Tavernspite School are provided with homework from an early age, and the school is grateful for parental co-operation in ensuring that this work is completed. Homework should not be regarded as a chore, but as a natural extension of school activities.

Homework for younger children i.e. the Foundation Phase, including Early Years, will often consist of reading activities. Parental involvement and assistance in such activities is invaluable and frequent liaison with the class teacher is extremely beneficial.

Reading is a vitally important homework but please remember that reading should be a SHARED, ENJOYABLE EXPERIENCE. Please set aside some time every evening to read with your child, no matter what his/her age.

Junior pupils are given a range of homework activities, although typically they will receive two pieces of homework a week, usually literacy and numeracy. It is important at this age that children develop the skill and motivation to work independently.

By the time they leave Tavernspite School, we hope that children will have learned how to learn for themselves. If they can then we would have succeeded in perhaps our most fundamental and important purpose.

Children in both the Foundation Phase and Juniors are regularly required to complete ‘Learning Log’ projects in which they will be asked to carry out research about a particular age-specific topic, using their own materials such as reference books or the internet. This activity is very popular with the children.

Parents may choose to opt out of our homework programme should they wish.

How can I encourage my child’s education at home?

There are many ways to encourage your child’s education and nurture their love of learning, for example:

Actively encourage your child to read both to her/himself and with you; to borrow books from the library; to buy books; to look after books and to ask you to explain words they do not understand. It is very important to establish a ‘story time’ every night before bedtime where you help your child to foster a love for reading and books. Teaching your child nursery rhymes and simple songs all helps to develop their love of language.
Create opportunities for writing; letters to friends and relatives; stories and accounts of things they have done and encourage them to bring them to school. Encourage your child to ask questions and show them where to find the answers in books or online.
Help with number work by playing games; let them help you with measuring, weighing, shopping etc.
Allow them to draw, paint, and model at home (despite the mess!).
Encourage to play outdoors and learn about the natural world and its beauty.
Most importantly, show a real interest in all that they do. Praise their efforts and celebrate everything they have learned or are interested in.