Homework
Knowledge is Power. We Make it Stick.
“Homework stops the forgetting.”
At Harris Greenwich, our vision for learning is Knowledge is Power: We Make it Stick. Our subject experts have the selected the most ‘powerful’ knowledge, that is, knowledge that is vital for success in that subject and the type of knowledge that students wouldn’t naturally have access to. They have carefully sequenced that over 5 or 7 years of subject teaching, into hundreds of lessons, with plenty of in-class deliberate practice. Homework exists to revisit this vital knowledge, and ensure it’s remembered.
Because, unfortunately, cognitive science (and common sense) tells us that forgetting is inevitable unless knowledge is revisited. We believe practice makes permanent, and strengthens long-term memory.
Therefore, the purpose of homework at Harris Greenwich is to strengthen how much knowledge has stuck.
Over the key stages we will also use homework to consolidate and practise learning, extend knowledge and skills, and to develop independence in preparation for future study and life.
Put simply, homework stops the forgetting.
The structure of homework
Following feedback from the student council and views from a parent questionnaire, we employ four types of homework in the Academy. It’s easy for students to use effectively, as well as for parents to support their child to be successful.
How to: Educake
How to: Bedrock
How to: Sparx
Homework across the Academy
While the vision remains the same, the way we achieve it is bespoke:
Key Stage 3 & 4: Homework primarily uses online quizzing platforms (Sparx, Educake, Bedrock) to provide immediate feedback, promote self-quizzing, and support retrieval practice. Teachers can see class-wide trends and adapt teaching accordingly.
Key Stage 5: Homework is rooted in wider reading, independent study, and coursework, preparing students for university and employment.
What are the rewards? What are the sanctions?
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All homework is centrally tracked on Class Charts.
- The expectation for Educake is that students complete 100% of questions with as many attempts as it takes to get 80%.
- Successful completion will result in positive points. Incomplete homework will result in detentions.
- Two ‘incomplete homework’ marks across separate weeks in a half term will potentially mean they join a compulsory homework club the following half term. This is so they can be supported to build better independent work habits.
How will we communicate with students, and parents?
Homework is set in class and checked weekly by teachers. Staff will record complete/incomplete homework on ClassCharts on the due date. Parents can view this directly on the Class Charts app.
How much homework will be set?
On Educake, students will be set between 15-30 questions per week depending on the subject. About 1x hr of Bedrock and 1x hr of Sparx is set per week, too.
What support is there for students?
Homework club runs daily and is where students can access computers, support, and a quiet workspace.
We are committed to ensuring homework is both doable and worthwhile. We are also supporting parents by communicating clear deadlines via ClassCharts.
Years 7 – 9: What’s due, when?
Year 10: What’s due, when?
Year 11: What’s due, when?
