The evidence of the importance of homework in helping students at secondary school be successful is clear. Numerous studies have shown over time that homework, done regularly, helps students make progress in their learning whatever their prior attainment. This links to the latest research on how we learn that shows that regular repetition of new learning is essential to move things into our long-term memory. This ability to learn new skills is going to be essential for all of our young people as the world of work continues to evolve.
As we transition to a mobile phone free school, we are trying to reduce our reliance on online platforms for setting and sharing homework. This will take us a few years to fully embed. We have made start by producing paper planners for KS3 with timetables printed in them and English and Maths homework prepopulated for the term. All KS3 homework will be included in the planners for the academic year 2026-27.
For students in KS4, they also have a planner with their timetable printed in it and the homework for all their subjects prepopulated for the term. Our online student and parent portal, Bromcom, will still sometimes be used by teachers to share resources that students need to use to complete homework. Students in KS5 have prepopulated homework lists, and these will be accessed online this year.
It may not be possible to completely remove the use of online platforms over the next few years as we become a phone free school, but we will review how much homework is being set online each year.
English, Maths and Science will set homework every week. The homework should take students approx. 30 minutes to complete. Homework could be set to be completed over several weeks. If a student finds that the work is taking longer than 30-40 minutes to complete, they should speak to their teacher to discuss techniques to complete the work in the time available or to see whether any adjustments can be made.
History, Geography, MFL and Art will set homework once a fortnight. The following subjects KS3 subjects will set homework once or twice a half term: RE, Music and Computing. This homework will follow the same guidelines as above. Teachers will encourage students to write their homeowrk into their planner during these lessons when it is set.
English and Maths homework will be in the printed booklet your child receives for homework at the beginning of each new big term. You will be emailed a copy of your child’s homework booklet at the start of each new big term. Homework for other subjects will be added to Bromcom and your child can also write it into their planner when the teacher explains what their homework is during a lesson.
Teachers will complete a Bromcom marksheet to record whether students have completed homework each time it is set in English and Maths. This data will be used to track patterns of non-completion across the year group and support interventions to support students struggling with homework.
If the class teacher for any subject needs to share resources electronically or links to websites for homework, these will be placed on the Bromcom student and parental portal, and students will note down in their planner that they need to visit the Bromcom site when at home.
Instructions on how to access homework on Bromcom can be found here https://www.wgswitney.org.uk/parents/portals
All GCSE and BTEC subjects will set homework each week. The homework should take students between 30-45 minutes to complete. Homework could be set to be completed over several weeks. If a student finds that the work is taking longer than 30-45 minutes to complete, they should speak to their teacher to discuss techniques to complete the work in the time available or to see whether any adjustments can be made.
There will be GAINS activities set in the 5-6 weeks before the end of year 10 exams. This will be instead of homework.
After the Christmas holidays of year 11, students will be set weekly GAINS revision tasks by departments which will have to be completed weekly until their exams are finished and will be instead of homework. This includes during the half term and Easter holidays.
All subject homework will be in the printed booklet your child receives for homework at the beginning of each new big term. You will be emailed a copy of your child’s homework booklet at the start of each new big term.
Teachers will complete a Bromcom marksheet to record whether students have completed homework each time it is set. This data will be used to track patterns of non-completion across the year group and support interventions to support students struggling with homework.
If the class teacher for any subject needs to share resources electronically or links to websites for homework, these will be placed on the Bromcom student and parental portal, and students will note down in their planner that they need to visit the Bromcom site when at home.
Instructions on how to access homework on Bromcom can be found here https://www.wgswitney.org.uk/parents/portals
All A level and AAQ subjects will set homework each week. The homework should take students between 3-4 hours per week. If a student finds that the work is taking longer than 4 hours to complete, they should speak to their teacher to discuss techniques to complete the work in the time available or to see whether any adjustments can be made.
There will be GAINS activities set in the 5-6 weeks before the end of year 12 exams. This will be instead of homework.
After the Christmas holidays of year 13, students will be set weekly GAINS revision tasks by departments which will have to be completed weekly until their exams are finished and will be instead of homework. This includes during the half term and Easter holidays.
Students will also be given weekly Supervised Study activities which must be completed in school in their Supervised Study sessions. These should take between one and two hours per subject.
Teachers will complete a Bromcom marksheet to record whether students have completed homework and supervised study each time it is set. This data will be used to track patterns of non-completion across the year group and support interventions to support students struggling with homework.
KS5 homework and Supervised Study programmes for each subject can be found on the Student Hub and uploaded to the Student and Parent Portal on Bromcom. Instructions on how to access homework on Bromcom can be found here https://www.wgswitney.org.uk/parents/portals
WGS Network Microsoft 365 and Student Portal
We understand that sometimes things get in the way of normal routine. Please just write a note for your child to give to their teacher or e-mail their teacher to explain that it was not completed.
Parental encouragement for, and interest in, older children’s learning is more important than direct involvement.
Here is a link to some useful resources that will help you support your child’s learning.
Homework is a key tool to help students learn. Research shows that in order to learn things effectively, it is vital that we go over things again and again and that we need to revisit the things we learn at regular intervals in order to ensure they move into our long term memory. The diagram below illustrates the importance of regular, spaced repetition in helping us remember things.
Bjork Learning and Forgetting Lab
If you would like to discuss the school’s homework policy, please feel free to contact Mr Goddard.
