Homework Policy - Pobalscoil Iosolde

Homework Policy

(1) Introduction

We regard the setting and correction of homework as an important part of our overall aim to achieve the highest possible level of learning among our students  We beleiee it is imprtant because it helps:

• Enhance academic achievement
  

• Consolidate work done in class
• Promote creativity
• Encourage self-directed study
• Assist in teachers' ongoing asssessment of pupils' work
• Encourage practical work/project work
• Promote learning of concepts
• Help students to organise their own work
• Encourage parents to take an interest in and to share responsibility for their children's work and progress.

(2) Methodology

The following methods are encouraged in order to help our students learn how to do homework and study:

• Sample answers should be given occasionally in order to show students what standard of answer is expected in the state exams.
  

• Good homework completed y stdents should be celebrated and shown ot the class as an example of how the work should be done.
• Tasks set as homework may be assessed and the recorded grades used as part of their Christmas or summer exam results.
• Students should be given as much guidance as possible as to how to actually do their homework.
• Teachers should differentite carefully between students' ability to do homework and correct their work on an individual basis.
• Subject teachers should occasionally give students lessons in how to study in their particular subjects.  Ideally this would happen early in each term and also near exam times.
• Teachers shold make it clear to students how much written work is expected in response to a particular question.
• Teachers are enouraged to identify the relative strengths of specific students and to tailor homework accordingly.
• In weak classes it is recommended that teachers do a large part of the homework in class.  Ths is to help students who would not be able to do the homework without help  or who may not have help at home.  Once the teacher is satisfied that the students are capable of completing the work, they should be left to do the rest of it at home.
• In the case of weak classes homework may be set less frequently but with more time given to feedback.
• Teachers should relate homework to student's exam results in order to help set work at an appropriate level.

(3) Management of Homework

In order to manage the setting, correcting and recording of homework, the following procedures are recommended:

• Teachers should write the homework on the board.
  

• Students should be given time during class to record their homework in their journals.
• Teachers should carefuly record homework set, returned and corrected in their teachers' diaries.
• Subject teachers should carefully record students who have not completed their homework. In the case of a student who fails to complete homework, the policy decribed in Section 4 should be enacted.

(4) Roles

The following individuals are identified as having important roles in ensuring that homework is done on time and to an acceptable standard:

The student is responsible for noting homework in his/her journal and  for having it completed by the set date.
Parents should check that students have noted their homework in their journals and completed it by the set date.
Subject teachers are responsible for setting homework of a suitable level of difficulty on a regular basis, and for collecting it, correcting it and giving feedback on it.  They should record work set and received, and grades and comments given.  They should ensure that students have noted the homework in their journals.  They are also responsible for noting failure to do homework in the students' journals and for applying sanctions where necessary.
Class tutors should monitor journals for evidence of constant failure by individual students to complete homework.  The tutor should report this matter to the year heads.
Year heads should act upon reports from tutors relating to lack of homework.  This will be dealt with as a discipline matter and the relevant procedure, as outlined below, will be implemented.
Learning support staff and language support staff should liaise with teachers of individual students in order to give advice as to how those students can best be accommodated in relation to homework.

(5) Homework Procedure

In the case of students who are neglecting to do their homework, the following procedure, as outlined in the students' journal, will be implemented.

Homework Policy

The setting and correction of homework is an important part of our overall aim to achieve the highest possible level of learning among our students. The student is responsible for noting homework in his/her journal and for having it completed by the set date. Parents should check that students have noted their homework in their journals and completed it by the set date.

In order to ensure that all students are completing their homework to the best of their ability, the following procedure will be operated:

• If a student does not hand up homework which he/she has been given to do, the class teacher will place a "Homework Not Done" stamp in that student's journal.
  

• The following Monday, at SPHE time, the class tutor will check the journals.  If he/she notices that any student has received three "Homework Not Done " stamps in one week, this matter will be brought to the attention of the relevant Year Head.
• The Year Head will warn the student that he/she must have the outstanding homework completed by the following day in order to avoid detention.  The Year Head may contact the parents/guardians.
• If the student fails to bring outstanding homework up to date, he/she must attend a one hour homework session in the school on the following Wednesday afternoon.  This session will begin at two o'clock.