Key Stage 4 and 5
Given the increased demands of the (I)GCSE and A Level programmes, in Years 10, 11, 12 and 13, students will not have a specific homework timetable with stipulated time frames. Homework can be set by any subject teacher on the days on which that subject is taught. Individual assignments, for example essays, can be more extensive than what is generally the norm at key stage 3.
However, students are afforded longer time frames in which to complete the work and teachers will rarely expect homework to be completed for the day after it has been set. Furthermore, the maturity of the students at this stage of their academic career allows for some degree of negotiation between the teacher and the students and between the teachers themselves in respect of timelines and deadlines in order to avoid overload on any particular day, or where a major and lengthy assignment is due during any particular week.
Assignments may not always be written. Research learning, revision and completion of projects may also be set as homework. Parents should inform the teacher if an assignment has taken markedly longer that the stipulated time. Students are provided with homework timetables. Parents are encouraged to monitor their son/daughter and to ensure that they have a quiet place to work without distractions.
While Internet research may be required for the completion of certain assignments, parents should check that their son/daughter is not simultaneously accessing online communication sites and/or programmes such as Facebook or Yahoo messenger (which may, of course, be the reason why the assignment has taken markedly longer than expected).
A student who fails to produce a piece of homework punctually or produces work which is incomplete or well below his/her capabilities will be given a verbal warning which will be noted. On the second occasion, a written warning will be noted, advising of a lunchtime detention should third instance occur. A third instance of unsatisfactory homework will result in a lunchtime detention. Thereafter, if the matter has not been satisfactorily resolved, the Form Tutor will contact the parents to arrange a meeting in order to discuss further strategies.