Hurworth School Homework Strategy: Intent
At Hurworth School, homework is an integral part of our curriculum and wider educational provision. We believe that effective homework extends learning beyond the classroom, develops independence and resilience, strengthens knowledge retention, and fosters a lifelong love of learning. Our approach is informed by the Education Endowment Foundation’s findings that high-quality homework can have a positive impact on pupil progress, particularly in secondary education, when it is closely linked to classroom learning, has a clear purpose and is supported by effective feedback.
Homework at Hurworth School is designed to reinforce and deepen learning, support the acquisition of disciplinary knowledge and skills, and contribute positively to student achievement and personal development. Homework is not viewed as an additional task, but as a meaningful extension of classroom learning that enables students to practise, retrieve, apply and explore knowledge independently.
Our homework strategy is built upon the following principles:
- Homework should have a clear educational purpose.
- Quality is more important than quantity.
- Homework should support students in developing independent study habits.
- Tasks should be accessible, challenging and meaningful.
- Homework should reinforce classroom learning and inform future teaching.
- Completion and effort should be recognised and celebrated.
- Homework provision should be carefully planned to avoid excessive workload and homework congestion.
Key Stage 3 Homework Offer
Year 7
Students in Year 7 will receive weekly homework from:
- English & Mathematics
Alongside these core academic tasks, Year 7 students will be encouraged to engage fully with Hurworth School’s extensive extra-curricular programme. Participation in clubs, enrichment opportunities and wider school activities will be recognised as an important aspect of personal development and readiness for learning.
Positive recognition through Class Charts, rewards and positive clicks will be awarded for:
- Completion of homework
- Quality of work produced
- Exceptional effort shown
The intention is to establish positive homework habits, develop organisational skills and encourage engagement with the wider life of the school.
Year 8
Students in Year 8 will receive homework from:
- English, Mathematics & Science
The primary aim is to improve the quality of homework and, consequently, student learning within the core subjects. Homework will focus on:
- Literacy development
- Numeracy fluency
- Retrieval and recall
- Application of knowledge
- Independent practice
By strengthening these fundamental skills, students will be better equipped to access learning successfully across the wider curriculum.
Year 9
Students in Year 9 will receive weekly homework from:
- English, Mathematics & Science
As in Year 8, homework will focus on developing literacy, numeracy and core knowledge through carefully planned activities that consolidate and extend classroom learning.
In addition, students will be offered one curriculum enrichment project per half term from non-core subjects. These projects aim to:
- Develop students’ passion for learning
- Promote curiosity and subject engagement
- Encourage independence and organisation
- Provide opportunities for creativity and scholarship
- Celebrate excellence beyond the core curriculum
Half-Term Project Allocation
| Half Term | Department |
| 1 | Computing |
| 2 | History & Art |
| 3 | Religious Studies |
| 4 | Geography |
| 5 | Spanish |
| 6 | Design Technology |
Departments are encouraged to:
- Promote projects enthusiastically.
- Showcase exemplary work.
- Celebrate success through rewards systems.
- Publicise achievements through school communications and social media.
Key Stage 4 Homework Offer
At Key Stage 4, all subjects will set homework on either a weekly or fortnightly basis, depending upon the nature and scope of the task.
Homework should be designed to challenge students appropriately and support success in GCSE and vocational qualifications. Tasks may include:
- Retrieval practice
- Knowledge organisers
- Revision and examination preparation
- Extended application tasks
- Coursework preparation
- Academic reading
- Exploratory investigations
- Creative challenges
- Independent research
Homework at KS4 should secure both substantive knowledge and disciplinary understanding whilst preparing students for the demands of further education and employment.
Recognition and Rewards
Hurworth School believes that effort, responsibility and commitment should be recognised.
Green Clicks
Green Clicks will be awarded for homework that is:
- Submitted on time
- Completed to a good standard
- Completed to an excellent standard
Supporting Learning Through Homework
Homework must form part of an ongoing learning cycle rather than operate as a standalone activity.
Teachers will use homework to:
- Identify misconceptions and gaps in understanding.
- Inform future planning.
- Shape responsive teaching.
- Strengthen retention through retrieval practice.
Where misconceptions are identified, these will become a focus within lessons through:
- “Do Now” activities
- Starter tasks
- Retrieval practice
- Guided feedback activities
This ensures that homework directly contributes to improved classroom learning and pupil progress.
Homework Planning and Workload
To ensure homework remains purposeful and manageable a whole-school homework timetable will be used.
Monitoring and Evaluation
The effectiveness of homework provision will be regularly monitored through:
- Department reviews
- Student voice activities
- Lesson observations
- Work scrutiny
- Arbor data
Intended Impact
- Develop strong independent learning habits.
- Improve literacy and numeracy outcomes.
- Retain knowledge more effectively through regular retrieval and practice.
- Demonstrate greater responsibility for their learning.
- Engage more fully with the wider curriculum and extra-curricular opportunities.
- Be better prepared for examinations and future study.
- Experience a coherent and manageable approach to homework across all year groups.
Ultimately, homework at Hurworth School will contribute to a culture of scholarship, aspiration and personal excellence, ensuring every student is equipped to achieve their full potential.
