Homework
At HASN, homework and independent learning are seen as important tools for supporting great learning.
All students in all year groups are set Homework. However, the quantity, frequency and format of homework will change from subject to subject and as students progress through the key stages.
All homework is set on our online homework platform ClassCharts. This online tool acts as an online homework diary for students, reminding them of deadlines, providing them with useful information and links, and providing a clear overview of what has been set for parents and carers (who can also access the app).
Why homework?
At Harris Academy South Norwood, we place a strong emphasis upon the importance of high-quality homework for all year groups. We see homework as a vital part of a student's learning experience, that enhances their attainment and develops them into more independent learners, ready to extend their learning beyond school.
We also see Homework as integral to developing students in our core values. Students should take responsibility for their own learning, and recognise that the most important factor in their academic success is what they do themselves. Through regular effort on homework, students will recognise that their endeavour, especially when consistent and self-motivated, leads to great outcomes.
What will homework look like?
All subjects will set valuable and bespoke homework tasks that support the student’s development of their curriculum knowledge. Every homework is carefully planned to promote and consolidate learning and to retain knowledge learned in lessons.
The focus is on rehearsal and retrieval, with students learning new knowledge for the first time in class with their expert teachers, then further developing, applying, embedding and revisiting it through homework.
Homework tasks set may include:
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Assignments, which can consist of a variety of activities and tasks- including exam style questions, research tasks and exercises to practice skills acquired in lesson.
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Quizzes and Spelling Tests, set via Satchel, testing knowledge and understanding.
Homework Booklets
In English, science, history, geography, languages and RE, a homework booklet is used for every half-term.
In each booklet, the students will find:
- Content linked to lessons
- Quizzes
- Exam questions
- Content enabling students to revise for their assessments. Each booklet doubles up as a revision tool for students to use.
Each week, students should complete pages or tasks from this booklet as directed by their teacher.
Online Platforms
In Maths and Science, students will instead be expected to dedicate a minimum of half an hour each week to Sparx Maths and Sparx Science homework. Sparx is an innovative online platform which is used to reinforce classroom learning, consolidate concepts, and foster a deeper understanding of mathematical and scientific principles. The platform assesses students' work and provides live feedback, and allows teachers to see what's going well and where students can improve.
In English, in addition to booklets, students will complete work on the Bedrock online platform. Bedrock is a vocabulary and reading platform, designed to expand students vocabulary and reading skills and in doing so, enhance their writing and speaking. Bedrock supports not just English, but all areas of the curriculum.
How frequently will homework be set?
Homework Quantity Years 7-9
Most subjects should set tasks that take approximately 30 minutes to complete per week.
Maths, English, Science and Modern Foreign Languages should set tasks that take approximately 60 minutes to complete per week.
Homework Quantity Years 10-11
All subjects should set tasks that take approximately 60 minutes to complete per week.
Maths, English, Science and Modern Foreign Languages can choose to set a further 1 hour of homework per week.
Flexible tasks will be set, including pre-reading and wider reading, as a common practice throughout the year.
Homework Quantity KS5
A minimum of three hours of homework per subject per week will be set.
https://www.classcharts.com/student/login
For the ClassCharts login page, please click above.
ClassCharts will be used as an online Homework Diary for all students. Teachers will set assignments and record whether the task has been submitted or not, whether it was submitted late or whether the student needs to resubmit it.
Teachers will advise whether any attachments to homework tasks need to be printed or not, and students can always use the Academy library facilities to print. If there are any issues with printing, teachers will provide paper copies. If a handout was already given out in class, then the teacher will have mentioned this on the website. Homework club is in the LRC every day after school.
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How does HASN approach Remote Learning?
If your child ever needs to learn from home due to exceptional circumstances, we have clear systems in place to keep their education on track with minimal disruption.
With our proven experience in delivering high-quality remote education, we know how to make online learning effective, engaging, and accessible. Should the need arise, we’ll provide both you and your child with resources and support needed to ensure learning from home is a success.
While most learning takes place in the classroom, there are occasional opportunities for online education, such as revision seminars run by the Harris Federation before mock and GCSE exams.
In the event of an unexpected school closure, we may implement remote learning. This will typically involve:
- Setting and submitting work via online platforms for a variety of subjects.
- Live lessons and resources through Microsoft Teams or Harris Sharepoint.
All students already use these platforms as part of their regular learning, both in school and at home. To access them, students will need the Microsoft Authenticator app.