Homework

At St Sebastian’s RC Primary School, we believe that well-designed homework plays a meaningful role in supporting children's learning and development. Research from the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) shows that when homework is purposeful and closely linked to classroom learning, it can lead to improved outcomes.

We focus on setting tasks that:

Reinforce key skills and knowledge taught in class
Encourage independent thinking and responsibility
Foster good study habits and time management
Involve parents in their child’s learning journey in a supportive way

Effective homework does not need to be lengthy—it’s the quality that counts. Short, focused tasks such as reading, practising number facts, or reviewing key concepts help children consolidate their learning. We also offer a homework club to ensure all pupils have access to a supportive space to complete their work.

Our aim is to make homework a positive and enriching experience that complements classroom teaching and helps every child thrive.

EYFS

A homework activity sheet is sent home at the beginning of each half-term via Tapestry. The homework contains a variety of activites based around the theme for the half term.

We ask parents to share homework on Tapestry or the children may bring in their homework to share in class.

EYFS staff will also upload weekly activities to Tapestry for parents to access and use to support their child's learning.

In Reception, phonics reading packs are sent home daily. These change weekly. We expect children to read for 5 minutes every evening.We ask parents to sign the reading record to show which pages have been read. Pupils should have their reading book (reading pack in KS1) in school every day as adults in school may read with them.

KS1

Reading

In KS1, pphonics reading packs are sent home daily. These change weekly. Children will also choose a book from the class library and school library to encourage reading for pleasure a. These are changed weekly. We expect children to read for 5-10 minutes each evening. We ask parents to sign the reading record to show which pages have been read. Pupils should have their reading book (reading pack in KS1) in school every day as adults in school may read with them.

Grammar

Pupils have a Grammar homework book. The grammar homework is set on a weekly basis and pupils will be directed to which pages they should complete (these will be dated). The pages will not necessarily be completed in order but will be set according to what the children have been learning in school. The weekly homework should take approximately ten minutes. Grammar homework is set each Friday and the grammar homework book should be returned to school for marking each Wednesday.

Spellings

Pupils are set fortnightly spellings based on the National Curriculum spelling objectives and linked to the current English topic. Pupils will be sent home with a look-cover-say-write spelling sheet and can also acess Spelling Shed. Each pupil has a unique login for spelling shed.

Maths

Pupils have a maths homework book which links to the scheme we follow in school: White Rose Maths. The maths homework is set on a weekly basis and pupils will be directed to which pages they should complete - this is usually 2-3 pages per week. The weekly homework should take approximately twenty minutes. Maths homework is set each Friday and the maths homework book should be returned to school for marking each Wednesday.

KS2

Reading

Pupils have a reading book linked to their ZPD (within their reading range). Children should aim to read their reading book for 10 minutes each night. We ask parents to sign the reading record to show which pages have been read. Pupils should have their reading book (reading pack in KS1) in school every day as adults in school may read with them. When pupils finish their reading book, they will take an online quiz in school to checkk understanding and reading for meaning.

Grammar

Spellings

Maths

Other Opportunities to learn from home

TTRS

Pupils have access to Times Tables Rock Stars (TTRS) to practice their times tables. Each child has a unique login to TTRS. The more the children practise, the better they will become.

Purple Mash

Purple Mash is a cloud-based platform that provides primary-aged children with creative and educational software tools, games, and resources for subjects like writing, coding, and art. The platform also includes an add-on library called Serial Mash for digital fiction books. Each child has a unique login to Purple Mash.

From time to time, other homework opportunities for learning wil be provided by school that link to the school curriculum.

Reading for Pleasure

It is important for children to hear adults read to them at all ages. This develops a love for reading and is an opportunity to spend quality time with you child. Reading a bedtime story to your child is beneficial to routines and prepare children for a good night's sleep.