Homework serves an important purpose in engaging parents/guardians in the formal education of their child: it consolidates the principle that teachers and parents are joint educators. The school’s homework policy was reviewed in the school year 2021/22 following consultation with staff, pupils, and parents. The policy outlines the roles and responsibilities of individuals and offers advice and guidance to parents to support their child when completing homework.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Purpose of Homework: Teachers assign homework because it helps in reinforcing what has been taught in class and because it encourages some children at least to work independently at their own rate and in their own time.
• Assignment and Checking: The teacher will set a little less than s/he decides the majority of the class can do comfortably, but will insist that what is done is done thoroughly. The teacher will ensure that homework is checked regularly.
• Homework Journal: Each pupil from 1st to 6th Class has a Journal in which homework is recorded. Parents/guardians should read and sign their child’s Journal each night and check his/her copies and/or homework sheets to ensure that s/he has done all homework carefully.
• No Homework in School: Children will not be allowed to start homework in school: it encourages rushed work and makes it very difficult for parents/guardians to deal with children who say “I did my homework in school”.
• Time Allocation: Homework should take no more than:
  • Infants: 10 minutes
  • 1st/2nd Classes: 20–30 minutes.
  • 3rd/4th Classes: 30–45 minutes.
  • 5th/6th Classes: 45–60 minutes.
• Spelling Tests: Pupils from 1st to 6th class have an English spelling test on Fridays. Pupils from 3rd to 6th class have an Irish spelling test, also on Fridays. Parents/guardians will sign the child’s spelling copy after the Friday test and ensure corrections are done.
• Weekends: As a general rule, homework will not be given at weekends; however, from time to time, pupils in senior classes will have projects to do which may extend over a weekend.
• Rewards: From time to time, teachers may use homework vouchers (for written homework) as a reward.
• Special Educational Needs: For pupils with special educational needs, the Class Teacher and Learning Support Teacher will liaise regarding homework

Advice for Parents

• Set aside a regular time, not late at night, for homework.
• Ensure that your child is sitting properly at a table in a quiet place.
• Homework time should include time for oral as well as written work and also library reading. It should be noted that homework time devoted to reading and learning is as important as written work.
• Encourage your child to keep books and copies clean and tidy.
• Homework should be your child’s own work.
• Be available to help and show an interest in what is being done, especially if your child is working independently.
• Praise your child’s efforts.
• Endeavour to stay calm when working with your child. If however, you feel yourself becoming impatient – stop – don’t threaten – this will only have a negative effect.
• Let teachers know by writing a note in your child’s Journal if homework cannot be done. If your child is regularly having problems with homework, make an appointment to see the teacher.

Reading Homework: Stages

1. Silent Reading: Child should read the page silently a few times so s/he can concentrate on the meaning as s/he reads at his/her own pace and has a chance to use the context to guess words.
2. Discussion: Child closes the book. Discuss what has been read with your child (who, when, where, what, why, what if, emotions of characters, what do you think will happen next) in the story.
   • Example questions (Red Riding Hood): Who was in bed? When did Red Riding Hood meet the wolf? Where did Red Riding Hood meet the wolf? What was in the basket? Why was Red Riding Hood carrying a basket? What might have happened if the woodcutter had not come? Was Granny angry, afraid or happy when she saw the wolf? What do you think will happen next?
3. Oral Reading: Child reads aloud this time.
4. Discussion: Close the book and discuss again with him/her as each time comprehension is being developed.
5. Dictionary Use: Use a dictionary in more senior classes

Reading for Enjoyment: Suggestions for Parents

1. Read to your child and with your child to improve fluency and expression as well as enjoyment.
2. Take turns reading from library books.
3. Join the local library.
4. Children from 1st to 4th Classes should have a library book which they read aloud for about 10–15 minutes. 4th–6th Classes should be able to read library books silently but care must be taken that less able pupils are in fact reading and following the story. Use questions (who, when, where, why, what if) to check this.

Spelling and Maths

• Spelling Strategy: Use Look, say, cover, write. Learn the words, cover the words and write them, check.
• Maths Methods: Make sure you use the same method as the teacher uses if you are helping your child (e.g., Subtraction, Long Division).
• Practical Maths: Use opportunities at home to encourage mathematical thinking and language, i.e., telling the time, counting money etc.

Parents: General Information and Suggestions

• Games: Play games like Ludo, Snakes and Ladders, Draughts, Scrabble, or card games. These develop language, number bonds, and help train the child to concentrate.
• Hobbies: Help to develop, then support, your child’s interest in a hobby (e.g., stamp collecting, photography, animals, woodwork, model building, cooking).
• Television:
  • In moderation, television can enhance language and general knowledge.
  • Senior class pupils should be encouraged to watch and talk about news items.
  • Watch programmes with your child and discuss them.
  • Encourage the child to select a programme or two and then switch off; discourage channel-hopping.
• Do not allow children to watch television while doing homework.
• Shared Experiences: Following a shared experience (a holiday, trip to the zoo, sporting event), discuss the event with your child. This improves communication and thinking skills and broadens vocabulary and background experience.

Ratified by the Board of Management at its meeting on May 10th 2022.

Signed: Brian Kealy, Chairperson