Homework

Homework gives pupils the opportunity to work independently to extend and strengthen their understanding of what they have been taught. It also helps them to identify areas that they are particularly interested in, and areas where they need additional support. It is completed as part of the working partnership between the pupil and the teacher, and we encourage parents to show an interest and motivate their children to do their best in completing what is set.

Details of homework will be entered by 4pm on the day set into the ‘Tasks’ section of Firefly. This system enables parents, staff and pupils to have access to a clear record of what was set, and when it is due (parents will receive their login for Firefly at the start of the autumn term).

To give parents and new pupils an understanding of our expectations regarding homework, please see the following overview which covers the aims of homework and how it develops over the course of a pupil’s life at Emanuel.

Lower School (Years 6–8)

• Homework allows pupils to practise their basic skills and knowledge and internalise ideas and concepts. • It enables pupils to develop effective learning habits and to learn how to manage their study time independently.

Hill form (Year 6)

There is no homework during the first two weeks of the autumn term. After this, homework is 30 minutes per night, Monday to Thursday and 45 minutes on Friday / for the weekend.

• English: 30 minutes • Maths: 30 minutes • Science: 30 minutes • History / Religious Studies / Geography (alternate weeks): 30 minutes • Music / Drama / Art (every three weeks): 30

minutes • English spellings: 15 minutes at the weekends

Years 7 and 8

There is no homework during the first two weeks of the autumn term. For the remaining weeks before half term, pupils receive the same homework as Hill form (above), but with additional allocations for the two languages. Set homework is 30 minutes per night, Monday to Thursday and 1 hour 30 minutes Friday / weekend

After the autumn half term, homework increases to two lots of 30 minutes per night, Monday to Thursday, and three lots of 30 minutes on Friday / for the weekend.

• English: 2 x 30 minutes (occasionally a Drama homework is set instead) • Maths: 2 x 30 minutes (occasionally a Music homework is set instead) • Biology: 30 minutes • Chemistry: 30 minutes • Physics: 30 minutes • Language 1: 30 minutes • Latin: 30 minutes • History / Religious Studies / Geography (alternate weeks): 30 minutes • Art: 30 minutes • Music: 15 minutes

Learning Support Rewards

Emanuel has a dedicated learning support department. Our staff offer support and expertise to help resolve difficulties and promote positive solutions for pupils experiencing obstacles to learning. Pupils and parents can access learning support by speaking with their form tutor. The tutor will liaise with subject teachers to review any concerns as they arise.

Please see the Learning Support and SEN Policy on our website for more information. Pupils are awarded commendations via our online system, EMA. Parents and pupils will receive an email every time they receive a commendation.

We reward effort, perseverance and community spirit. There are form tutor and head of section awards and medals for academic achievement. The headmaster gives special awards for contributions to school life in assemblies.

The main purpose of commendations is to reward and encourage individual achievement. Pupils will receive emails from staff, vouchers and book tokens to recognise the number of commendations they earn.

The school’s behaviour policy outlines the range of sanctions used to address both academic and behaviorual issues.