Fact Sheet
Education: Homework Help Web Sites
This fact sheet was produced by
Islington Central Reference Library
2 Fieldway Crescent
London
N5 1PF
E: centralref.library@islington.gov.uk
T: 020 7527 6931
F: 020 7527 6939
W: www.islington.gov.uk/libraries
July 2011
Homework Help Web Sites
There are hundreds of websites designed to help with homework, but be careful how you
use them. Good and bad things to watch out for include:
•
Beware of any website that tries to charge for downloading its resources
•
Some sites may offer to sell you ready made or “specimen” essays. You should not
use other people’s essays as if they are your own. Not only is it cheating but teachers
will spot it. Using specimen essay layouts is OK if you’re not sure what an essay
should look like or to help remind you what topics should be included in your essay.
•
Sites that are designed for American schools; the subjects may be different, called
something else or look at topics from an American point of view. They often include
advertisements, which are distracting and undesirable on an educational website.
•
Some sites give you information on the screen (such as an encyclopedia) and others
will allow you to send in questions to be answered
•
Sites that list other useful websites
•
Sites that offer practical tips on doing homework as well as providing information on
topics
If you go onto a site where you are asked to give an email address, be careful not to give
out your full name, home address or phone number.
Islington Library & Heritage Services cannot accept responsibility for the content of any
external websites.
Every attempt has been made to make sure that the information is up to date and
accurate.
Students of All Ages
BBC Learning Homepage
Excellent educational website that brings together a wealth of information for school
students, adult learners, parents and teachers.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/
Enquire
Enquire is a national service that uses the web to instantly connect you to library staff
trained to help you find answers to your questions. It is free, and offers a live question
and answer service 24 hours a day, every day.
http://www.peoplesnetwork.gov.uk/
Homework help
The Librarians at Tameside Central Library have searched the web for sites to help you
with homework. Topics covered include British History, Geography, Maths, Music etc.
Grading system uses stars to help identify the best sites.
http://www.tameside.gov.uk/libraries/childrens/homework.html
National Archives Learning Curve
Free online teaching and learning resource, following the History National Curriculum
from key stages 2-5 (ages 5 to post 16). A variety of original sources are used to
encourage students to explore the history that surrounds them. The Sources section has
documents, photos and film clips from the National Archives.
http://www.learningcurve.gov.uk
National Geographic Homework Help
Useful for history and culture, geography, art, science, nature. Excellent source for maps
and photographic images. American, and has advertisements.
http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/
Topmarks
Independent educational website that aims to make available good, free educational
resources. Resources are biased to UK curriculum requirements and cover the whole
spectrum, from nursery rhymes for early years through to resources for higher education.
Searchable site helps with homework, GCSE and A Level revision and school studies.
http://www.topmarks.co.uk/
Webmath
Website owned by Discovery Education which produces digital educational resources.
The Webmath page will answer specific maths homework questions in real time and also
shows how to arrive at the answer. The Parents’ Corner suggests activities and ways to
encourage learning. American bias.
http://www.mathgym.com.au/MIC/homework.htm
Younger Children
Ask for Kids
Ask Kids is a search engine designed for children 6-12 and uses keywords or phrases to
find information. Editorial supervision and filtering technology try to ensure that
information is both relevant and appropriate. The Schoolhouse section refers students to
useful websites listed by subject. American bias.
http://www.askforkids.com
BBC Bitesize
Part of the BBC schools website, Bitesize helps children consolidate their knowledge of
literacy, numeracy and science through games and quizzes. Coverage includes KS 1, 2
and 3 (ages 5 through to 14)).
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/bitesize//
Channel 4 Learning
This is a useful site for 7-11 year olds. It encourages children to explore key issues in
Science, History and Geography at Key Stage 2 using interactive games and quizzes
http://www.channel4learning.com/sites/essentials
Woodlands Web
Although this is the website of a particular school, Woodlands School, the information
contained is attractive, easy to read and much of it is useful for students of all ages as
well as the 7-11 target group. Games, quizzes and interactive tests all help students to
consolidate their learning for Key Stage 2 SATS.
http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk
Teenagers
Absolute Shakespeare
Includes the complete text of all the plays, with summaries, as well as the sonnets,
biographical details, teaching resources, images relating to Shakespeare and his times
and information on the Globe Theatre, as well as the all-important study guides.
http://absoluteshakespeare.com
BBC Bitesize
Bitesize also has excellent resources for GCSE students, as well as Scottish Standard
and Highers examinations, and a Welsh revision guide for GCSE. Includes information
for teachers and parents. Audio clips are available in all subjects as well as message
boards for students to discuss and post ideas.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/
BBC Student Life
Another excellent subdivision of the BBC Schools website. It has sections on School
Issues, Careers and Choices and Debates and includes Revision and Skills information
as well as a Games Corner.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/studentlife
BBC Schools 16+
Information and tips for students studying for AS and A2 qualifications. Subjects covered
include General Studies, Geography, History, Languages, Maths and Science. The
Surgery is an expert advice section that has useful information on lots of personal issues.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/16
Britannica Online Student Edition
This is the online version of the Encyclopaedia Britannica for students age 6-10 and 1114 years. It is an excellent homework resource and although it costs £50 for a
subscription, the online edition is available free of charge to all members of Islington
libraries – just ask us for help to use it.
http://www.islington.gov.uk/Education/Libraries/MoreThanJustBooks/ReferenceAndInfo/1
450.asp
Channel 4: Homework High
Good homework site for students 11-16. Type in a homework question and see all the
information that teachers have given to previous questions on a particular topic. If your
question isn’t there, you can email it in. Curriculum resources cover maths, science,
English, geography, languages and study skills
http://www.channel4learning.com/apps/homeworkhigh
MapZone - Homework Help
Interactive website designed by Ordnance Survey. Provides homework help for children,
using maps, animations, quizzes and games for fun, interactive learning of basic map
skills, including drawing maps, grid references and finding the way from one place to
another. Ideal for key stage 3 national curriculum geography.
http://mapzone.ordnancesurvey.co.uk
NRICH
NRICH is a joint project between the Faculties of Mathematics and Education at the
University of Cambridge. Its free resource bank has been developed to meet the needs
of learners from ages 5-19 (Key Stages 1-5). The Ask a Mathematician service helps
students with questions and Asked NRICH has lists of past topics which students can use
to get help with maths questions.
http://nrich.maths.org/public
S-cool
Website that provides free revision information for students age 14 – 19 studying for
GCSE and A Level examinations. The S-zone section includes information on careers,
training and apprenticeships , as well as entertainment and news. Funded by
sponsorship from companies, the content is written by teachers and is free to view. Site
includes advertisements.
www.s-cool.co.uk
Schoolhistory.co.uk
Site is owned and created by Andrew Field, a secondary school history teacher and ICT
coordinator. It points teachers and pupils to internet sites relevant and useful for history.
Gives free help with history schoolwork. You can search for previous questions or
register to post your own.
http://www.schoolhistory.co.uk/authority.htm
Examinations: Past Papers
AQA Website
http://www.aqa.org.uk
Gives free access to the Board’s specifications, past exam papers and mark schemes.
The ‘Students and Parents’ link on the Home Page will take you to past papers.
Edexcel Website
http://www.edexcel.com
The most recent exam papers are not available to students. Edexcel Exam Centres are
able to download them free of charge by entering their centre number. Question papers
and mark schemes more than one year old are available.
EMaths
http://www.emaths.co.uk/KS2SAT.htm
Web site that allows free access to past SATs Key Stage 2 papers in Maths, English and
Science.
OCR Website
http://www.ocr.org.uk
Past papers, mark schemes and examiners reports can all be downloaded free of charge.
Homework clubs in Islington Libraries
All the libraries in Islington have free drop in homework clubs which run during term time.
Specially trained staff are on hand to help students with their studies. Children under 8
must be accompanied by a parent or carer, and all children under 16 will need parental
permission to use the internet. You can find times and locations of the homework clubs
by clicking on the link below.
http://www.islington.gov.uk/DownloadableDocuments/LeisureandCulture/Pdf/20090805homeworkclub.pdf
Every effort has been made to ensure the information included is accurate. We
cannot accept responsibility if an organisation no longer exists or if information
has changed.
Islington Library & Heritage Services
Archway Library
Tel: 020 7527 7820
Hamlyn House, Highgate Hill N19 5PH
Email: archway.library@islington.gov.uk
Central Library
Tel: 020 7527 6900
2 Fieldway Crescent N5 1PF
Email: centrallending.library@islington.gov.uk
Finsbury Library
Tel: 020 7527 7960
245 St John Street EC1V 4NB
Email: finsbury.library@islington.gov.uk
John Barnes Library
Tel: 020 7527 7900
275 Camden Road N7 0JN
Email: johnbarnes.library@islington.gov.uk
Lewis Carroll Library
Tel: 020 7527 7936
166 Copenhagen Street N1 0ST
Email: lewiscarroll.library@islington.gov.uk
Mildmay Library
Tel: 020 7527 7880
21-23 Mildmay Park N1 4NA
Email: mildmay.library@islington.gov.uk
N4 Library
Tel: 020 7527 7800
26 Blackstock Road N4 2DW
Email: n4.library@islington.gov.uk
North Library
Tel: 020 7527 7840
Manor Gardens N7 6JX
Email: north.library@islington.gov.uk
South Library
Tel: 020 7527 7860
115-117 Essex Road N1 2SL
Email: south.library@islington.gov.uk
West Library
Tel: 020 7527 7920
Bridgeman Road N1 1BD
Email: west.library@islington.gov.uk