Homework

This section provides an overview of the benefits of homework, the expected volume and the homework schedules for each subject for the academic year.

At The Catholic High School we set homework to:

Every students is set home study tasks each day according to the home study timetable available below. The additional study that the school expects each student to do will help them to consolidate their learning and improve their academic performance. We hope that the students find their home study challenging and interesting, helping to motivate them in their work and to nurture any pre-existing passions they may have.

Home study helps our students to develop excellent life long learning skills, embedding study and research habits that are essential for continued personal success as a young person and adult. It also helps our pupils to develop an independent approach to study which is crucial as they progress through their academic journey within the school. Students in Years 10 and 11 should be particularly engaged in independent study and revision, in addition to the work set by their teachers according to the home study timetable.

We are extremely grateful for the support that parents and carers give to helping ensure that home study is completed on time and to the highest standard. The work ethic that this fosters is essential to nurturing well rounded, confident young people, with the greatest chance of success.


The volume of homework expected per evening is

Years 7 & 8: 45 minutes
Year 9: 60 minutes
Years 10 and 11: 90 minute


Art & Design

Key Stage 3

Homework is mainly practical art-work and occasionally research. This work will take no less than 40 minutes, no more than 1 ½ hrs per task. The tasks are linked to the scheme of work written by the class teacher. This will include drawing in a variety of ways, research, annotation and the completion of work started in class. Homework response will impact tracking assessment. This work is presented in the student’s A5 sketchbook (with some exceptions, particularly in year 9).

Key Stage 4

Homework is independent work and will become more about deadlines set by the class teacher where the student is responsible for organising their own time in meeting deadlines set. Students are expected to check Firefly for details. The expectation is that homework should be 1 ½ and 2 hours weekly, including during holiday periods. The work will be predominantly practical, may require a student to engage in in-depth enquiries, annotation or allow them to visit locations for drawing and recording.

Drama

Key Stage 3

Students are expected to rehearse in their own time in preparation for upcoming performances. A range of homework is set throughout the year based on revision techniques, in order to embed knowledge and understanding.

Key Stage 4

Students continue to be expected to rehearse in their own time in order to prepare for performances. Students are set on-going homework in the form of a portfolio documenting their personal learning journey.


Design & Technology

Key Stage 3

Students will complete research, design work and evaluation for a design task for their assessment. This will be produced on computer as it as an assessed piece of work, which will develop their presentation and ICT skills. In addition, specific tasks are set to develop different revision techniques reviewing knowledge and key words learnt during the unit of work.

Key Stage 4

Students will be given regular exam questions to develop their exam technique. They will also complete longer term projects which will give them the opportunity to extend knowledge gained in lessons for deeper learning.

Design tasks will be completed to prepare them for the NEA. In year 11 all homework is part of the NEA, this being worth 50% of the GCSE. All sheets are completed digitally and involve research, design, planning and evaluation of a product in response to the chosen task set by AQA. Once the NEA is complete, students plan their revision, prepare for the exam and practise past exam papers to develop their exam technique in readiness for the 50% terminal exam.

In year 10 Textiles all work produced will contribute to the coursework required for the GCSE. The majority of practical work will be completed in class, therefore much of the homework set will require students to research project briefs, develop design ideas and evaluate practical work. All of this is to be presented creatively in a sketchbook, putting in a minimum of 2 hours per week to complete this. In year 11, students select an exam board task, beginning the investigation and preparation for their practical exam.


Criminology

Key Stage 5

Students will be set a variety of homework for Criminology at Key Stage 5. These will include answering revision questions on key topics, creating mind maps and flashcards, research in preparation for assessments, analysing case studies and completing past paper questions. Students may also be asked to prepare presentations to their peers as part of their homework tasks.

As part of the level 3 qualification, students will be expected to prepare for both the internal and external assessments of the course. The applied nature of the course means that homework is set with the the aim to allow students to develop skills required for independent learning; focusing on aspects such as report writing, time management, problem solving, project based research, presentation and the ability to work alongside others.

Homework will be set at least once a week but students are expected to also undertake self-directed research to supplement this. All homework is set on Firefly and recorded by the teacher. Parents have access to this and can monitor their child’s progress at any time.


English

Homework in English focuses on two areas: reading and learning of key knowledge.

Key Stage 3

All students from Years 7 to 9 should undertake at least 30 minutes of reading homework every week. Ideally, this would be a range of both fiction and non-fiction and a variety of genres and authors.

Key Stage 4

All students from Years 10 to 11 should undertake at least 60 minutes of reading homework every week. Ideally, this would be a range of both fiction and non-fiction and a variety of genres and authors.

Students will also complete homework, on average every two weeks, which requires that they learn and revise key information about the unit they are studying, found on the knowledge organiser for that unit. They will then demonstrate this knowledge through tests and extended writing in class and at home.

Additionally in KS4, we expect students to undertake ongoing revision of the English Literature texts they have studied so far in the course.


Geography

Key Stage 3

Students are assessed regularly. They are given topic keywords at the beginning of each unit which they are tested on. In addition, students are assessed in the middle and at the end of each topic studied. To support the preparation for these assessments, students use the Doddle homework system as well as electronic revision material.

 Key Stage 4

Students use revision guides specific for the AQA GCSE, given to them at the start of the course. GCSE style questions are revised for and completed in school at the end of each topic. Again, the Doddle homework system is used to support students in preparation for these. Regular past questions are also given as part of homework.


History

Key Stage 3

Students are tested regularly through the use of Knowledge Organisers which are provided on each topic. Students study the Knowledge Organisers and will then be asked to complete a series of multiple-choice questions on each topic on firefly. This tests their recall of topics previously taught, aiding retrieval practice to get results.

Students may also be asked to complete work such as revision for end of topic tests. This is usually in the form of a mind map or flashcards.  Occasionally, creative tasks such as model making may be set as a homework task.

Key Stage 4

Students will be set a variety of homework tasks related to the GCSE topics studied. These might involve making mind maps or flashcards on specific topics, completing revision or recall questions, completing past paper questions and annotating or improving model answers.

Key Stage 5

Students will be set a variety of homework for A level History, on topics selected from the specification. These typically include making notes on key topics, or making mind maps and flashcards, extended reading on the topic, answering revision questions, completing past paper questions and annotating or improving model answers.

As part of the qualification, students will also complete a piece of coursework of 3000-4000 words. For homework, students will be expected to research their independently chosen topic, locate and select primary sources and interpretations and write their findings independently.

All homework is set on Firefly and recorded by the teacher. Parents have access to this and can monitor their child’s progress.


Information Technology

Computer Science Key Stage 3

Students are assessed regularly. They are given a project at the start of each half term which prepares them for the next unit. We also encourage students to embed revision and note-taking techniques into this. Homework is set on Firefly and recorded by the teacher. Parents have access to this and can monitor their child’s progress at any time.

Computer Science Key Stage 4

Students use revision guides specific to OCR GCSE given to them at the start of the course. GCSE style questions are revised for and completed in school at the end of each topic. A number of online resources are used to support students in preparation for these.

Regular past questions are also given as part of homework. We encourage students to embed revision and note-taking techniques into this. Homework is set on Firefly and recorded by the teacher. Parents have access to this and can monitor their child’s progress.

Business Studies Key Stage 4

Students use revision guides specific to OCR GCSE given to them at the start of the course. GCSE style questions are revised for and completed in school at the end of each topic. The Doddle homework system is used to support students in preparation for these.

We also use a range of online platforms to support students. Regular past questions are given as part of homework and we encourage students to embed revision and note-taking techniques into this. Homework is set on Firefly and recorded by the teacher. Parents have access to this and can monitor their child’s progress.


Maths

Year 7:  Students complete up to 5 MyMaths homework tasks over a two-week period. These will be based on work they have completed in class or on revision from earlier in the year. Before assessments, they will also be given learning homework.

Year 8, 9, 10: Homework is set on a two-week cycle. Every half term, there will be a learning homework for a test or assessment, a GCSE questions booklet, and the rest will be 3-5 MyMaths tasks.

Year 11: A Pinpoint Maths paper should be completed every two weeks (based on analysis from mock papers). Year 11 are set specific topic revision as a class and are expected to complete past papers to aid their revision.


Modern Foreign Languages

MFL Homework is generally set twice a week. The homework tasks for Year 7 & Year 8 should take between 20- 30 mins to complete. The homework tasks are set on Firefly, below are the types of homework that may be set per half term.

Key Stage 3:

Year 7

Half term 1: Learning spellings, completing a gap fill grammar sheet, drafting sentences about themselves, practice saying sentences about themselves, research about famous French speakers, listening and reading formative activities on www.kerboodle.com – auto marked.

Half term 2: Learning spellings, completing grammar exercises, drafting sentences about their family, friends or school subjects, practise saying opinions and details about friends and school subjects. Mini readers on www.kerboodle.com. Listening and reading formative activities on www.kerboodle.com – auto marked.

Half term 3: Learning spellings, completing grammar exercises, drafting sentences about school and free-time. Translation exercises to practise the present and past tense structures. Mini readers on www.kerboodle.com. Listening and reading formative activities on www.kerboodle.com – auto marked.

Year 8

Half term 1: Written homework for STAR marking, grammar activities, learning sentences to say what you like to eat and drink, listening and reading, formative activities on www.kerboodle.com – auto marked.

Half term 2: Learning sentences for homework in order to give directions to help someone find their way. Draft a text describing your town or  village, what activities you can do there and what you like/ don’t like doing. Completing action points from your written homework.  Listening and reading formative activities on www.kerboodle.com  – auto marked. Grammar activities.

Half term 3: Practising writing longer sentences, practising asking questions. Grammar worksheets to practise the 3 different tenses. Learning sentences for homework in order to communicate in 3 different tenses, interactive listening and reading activities.

Year 9 Spanish

Written homework for STAR marking, grammar activities, learning sentences to describe food preferences, listening and reading formative activities on www.kerboodle.com  – auto marked.

Learning opinion phrases about holidays. Written homework about what holiday opinions and justifications, completing action points from your written homework, listening and reading formative activities on www.kerboodle.com – auto marked, Grammar activities.

Practising writing longer sentences about media preferences, listening and reading formative activities on www.kerboodle.com  – auto marked, practising role play techniques.

Speaking preparation including 3 tenses, written activities including 3 tenses, listening & Reading practice exercises.

Year 9 French

Researching Francophone details, reading for gist, recognising different tenses in texts, Practising tense rules, translating from French into English and English into French.

Drafting written work about teenagers and their relationships with parents, listening & reading activities, translation exercises.

Preparing spoken work about mobile phones & technology, role play techniques, writing a film review using the past and future tenses.

Key Stage 4

MFL Homework is generally set twice a week. The homework tasks for Year 10 & 11 should take between 30-60 mins to complete. The homework tasks are set on Firefly, below are the types of homework that may be set per half term.

Year 10 French

Learning spellings and tense rules and examples, Online vocab builder, Grammar activities (worksheet), Mini-readers on www.kerboodle.com Grammar activities on Kerboodle, Star-marked piece of writing inline with GCSE mark scheme, 16 and 32 marked questions, Photocard and roleplay preparation, Prepare conversation answers for conversation class, Listening and reading practice on www.kerboodle.com.

Year 11 Spanish

Vocabulary builder online, 16 point questions /32 point questions, Translations, Written work STAR marked in line with GCSE mark scheme, Preparing conversation question answers in preparation for the conversation classes, Grammar exercises to consolidate grammar security and knowledge, Listening and reading practice on www.kerboodle.com, asking questions, past paper practice.

Year 11 French

Vocabulary builder online, 16 point questions /32 point questions, Translations, Written work STAR marked in line with GCSE mark scheme, Preparing conversation question answers in preparation for the conversation classes, Grammar exercises to consolidate grammar security and knowledge, Listening and reading practice on www.kerboodle.com, asking questions, past paper practice.

Sixth Form

MFL Homework is generally set twice a week. The homework tasks for Year 12 & 13 should take between 30 – 90 mins to complete, but independent research and wider reading is set in addition to this. The homework tasks are set on Firefly, below are the types of homework that may be set per half term.

Year 12 French

Vocabulary builder online, listening and reading activities online, translations, summaries from listening and reading texts, essay questions, heritage and francophonie research.

Year 12 Spanish

Vocabulary builder online, listening and reading activities online, translations, summaries from listening and reading texts, essay questions, heritage and francophonie research.

Year 13 French

Vocabulary builder online www.kerboodle.com, listening and reading activities online, translations, Summaries from listening and reading texts, essay questions, heritage and francophonie research, immigration and prison articles, www.zut.org.uk video clips of news articles.

Year 13 Spanish

Vocabulary builder online www.kerboodle.com, listening and reading activities online, translations, summaries from listening and reading texts, essay questions at www.oye.languageskills.co.uk video clips and news articles.


Music

Key Stage 3

Students are assessed on the six performance units set for the year group. They are given topic keywords at the beginning of each unit which they are tested on regularly. In addition, students are assessed in the middle as well as the end for each unit studied. To support the preparation for these assessments, students use Firefly for video performance tutorials, as well as various research homework tasks.

Key Stage 4

Students are assessed regularly on both performance and listening components of the course. ‘Focus on Sound’ and ‘Exam Buster’ websites as well as Firefly are used to support student home learning. Past exam questions are also given as part of homework. Students use revision guides specific for the AQA GCSE Music course.


Physical Education

Key Stage 3

Key stage 3 students are encouraged to attend our extra-curricular clubs at lunch time and after school to practice and develop their skills in a range of sports. We also encourage students to use the resources on firefly and revision guides to revise for their short theory tests throughout the year.

 Key Stage 4

Homework is set weekly for GCSE students using a variety of tasks including research, reading, work sheets, mind maps, completing tables/charts and exam questions. Homework consolidates lesson knowledge and through repetition helps store key information in the long term memory.

Quality time is expected to be spent on homework. Students always receive feedback on their work, in line with our school feedback policy. Revision notes are set as homework for each topic area in preparation for half term tests and are checked by the teacher to ensure students are building up independence in their learning.

Students are also expected to attend GCSE PE club each week in order to practice the three sports that they will be assessed on for 40% of their practical grade.

BTEC Sport students are set revision and past paper questions in order to prepare them for their online test. All homework tasks are set on firefly.


Religious Education

Key Stage 3

Students are tested regularly using their Knowledge Organisers.

Key Stage 4

Students are provided with revision booklets, these can be accessed on FIREFLY. They will be given regular keyword tests, set GCSE questions and after each topic they will have a test they will have to prepare for.


Science

Key Stage 3

Students use Knowledge Organisers which are provided on each topic in the Homework Booklet. For each topic completed students are expected to:

· Revise the information on the Knowledge Organisers and test themselves on the mini tests.

·Prepare to complete one mini test in class.

· Complete the practice test and mark and correct their answers using the mark scheme.

· Bring their Homework Booklet in to be checked by their teacher.

· Revise for an end of topic test using the information in their Homework Booklet and their exercise book.

 Key Stage 4

Students continue to be tested using knowledge organisers. Additional homework will be set to complete or revise for exam questions.

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