The evidence of the impact of homework (known as Home Learning at Larkrise) is mixed. Using research from the Education Endowment Foundation at Larkrise we would like to highlight our principles of home learning. 
 

• The quality of the task set is more important than the amount of work required by the child
• Practising reading is the most beneficial aspect of home learning. Initially learning to decode words and then developing the child’s understanding of vocabulary is essential otherwise children will not be able to access our curriculum.
• Evidence suggests that home learning which links to the learning in the classroom is the most valuable. Good examples of this include pre-teaching (e.g. watching a video of how to solve a maths problem) or over-learning and practice (eg. reading books and times tables rockstars)
• Studies show that when digital technologies are involved there can be a greater impact
• We want a balance between home learning and the need for children to be able to be children and follow other interests outside of school time.
• We need there to be a balance between teachers' workload and the time needed to set and check  home learning.

Lower School (EYFS & Year 1)

• Read together daily for a short time (at least five times a week) - five minutes is ideal. Use the book brought home from school that will be linked to the phonics they are learning in class. Record the session in the child’s reading diary. This can be a simple sentence explaining how they read or a simple tick / smiley face to indicate the child has read. 

• Reading the same book several times is expected - this is important to consolidate fluency and understanding. Bug Club books have the added advantage of being available online through this link which means the children can have it read to them, following the text onscreen and taking part in activities and questions linked to the text to add variety and interest.

• Share a bedtime story as part of a routine, following your child’s interests.

• Use Tapestry for Reception Parents/Carers to show examples of learning at home.

Excellent How-to Videos for Parents/Carers through this link.

Middle School (Years 2, 3 & 4)

Weekly home learning can be found on Learning with Parents (Yr2) or Google Classroom (Yr3/Yr4). Please contact your child's class teacher or the school office if you need a reminder of their username or password.

• Read together daily for a short time (at least five times a week) - 10 minutes is ideal. Use the book brought home from school that will be linked to the child’s stage in reading. Record the session in the child’s reading diary or Learning with Parents (Yr2).

• Reading the same book several times, especially when children are still at an early stage of learning is expected - this is important to consolidate fluency and understanding. Bug Club books have the added advantage of being available online through this link  which means the children can have it read to them, following the text on screen and take part in activities and questions linked to the text as well to add variety and interest.

• For Maths, Grammar, Vocabulary or Spelling tasks we link to a video, game or activity which is uploaded to Google Classrooms (Yr3/Yr4 or Learning with Parents (Yr2).

• In Yr3 and Yr4 practise on paper and online (Times Tables Rock Stars, timestables.co.uk) to aid speed in recalling times tables. Yr 2 as introduced by the teacher.

• Share a bedtime story as part of a routine.

Upper School

Weekly Home Learning can be found on Learning with Parents (Yr6) or Google Classroom (Yr5). Please ask your child's teacher or the school office if you need a reminder of their username or password.

• Read together at least twice a week. 10 minutes is ideal. Still share a bedtime story as part of a routine.

• Children should be reading on their own at least three times a week, ideally daily.

• Teachers will assess if children should use a book brought home from school matched to their reading stage or are free to choose a book.  Books matched to the reading stage will be linked to Bug Club online, offering the added advantage of being available online through this link which means the children can have it read to them, following the text on screen and take part in activities and questions linked to the text as well to add variety and interest. This reading should be logged in yellow reading diaries or (Yr 6 Learning with Parents) please, to support accelerated catch-up. 

• For Maths, Grammar, Vocabulary or Spelling tasks we link to a video, game or activity which is uploaded to Google Classroom (Yr5) or Learning with parents (Yr6).

• Practise on paper and online (Times Tables Rock Stars, timestables.co.uk) to aid speed in recalling times tables. 

• To support the preparation for Yr7, from January onwards, many children in Yr6 will use Revision Booklets to consolidate concepts learnt in Reading & Maths and to ensure they are meeting age-related expectations at the end of KS2.

Resources to support learning at home