Manchester
Health
Academy
Homework Guidance for
Parents
Years 9, 10 & 11
2014-15
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Homework
Learning outside the classroom is very important to success at school. As well as adding to
classroom learning it gives students the opportunity to practise and develop skills,
knowledge and independence.
How much homework should my child get?
All subjects will set homework which should take around 2 hours per week for each subject
that they study. Older students will be expected to complete more, especially in preparing
for examinations.
In some subjects, students will be given a ‘Menu’ of homework tasks for each half term.
They then choose tasks from the menu over the half term to build up an overall target
score. The score can only be achieved by selecting tasks which are a mixture of levels of
difficulty, so that students cannot simply select the tasks which are easiest, but will have to
challenge themselves in order to achieve the required points.
Homework can be set in a number of ways:
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Setting essays, answering set questions and worksheets
Longer-term projects, coursework or extended homework
Research
Maps, diagrams, art work, posters and model making
Problem solving exercises
Fieldwork
Revision work in preparation for tests or examinations
Reading
See Homework Grids and Parental Guidelines for individual subjects.
Recording and completing homework
All students must have a planner with them, at all times, where they will record their
homework. Tutors and parents are asked to check and sign these on a weekly basis.
All independent learning assessments can be accessed through the academy Virtual
Learning Environment from home or in the academy. Homework areas are available to all
students at the end of the Academy day in teaching areas and the main library or Learning
Support.
Tasks completed well will be rewarded through PRIDE /Reward points
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Non-completion of Homework
When homework has not been completed teachers will record this in students’ planners,
either through a note to parents or through a “no homework stamp”. Each half term,
incomplete or poor homework will result in a standard letter home informing parents of the
situation. Poor homework completion will also result in an unsatisfactory ‘Effort’ grade in
half termly assessment reports. Students who are in need of additional support to achieve
targets will be directed to attend sessions set aside for this purpose.
Parents/Carers should:
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Support students with their homework without completing it for them.
Provide a quiet place to work or encourage use of Academy facilities before and
after school.
Ensure your children meet deadlines given.
Support the Academy in helping their children to progress by completing homework
to the best of their ability
Check their child’s planner and sign it each week
Parents/carers ought to be able to access, with their child’s help, the homework
grids which are available on the academy’s Virtual Learning Environment (VLE).
Students must:
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Always prepare their planner to record information at the start of every lesson
Record homework tasks set even when they are stored on the VLE
Work to deadlines set
Speak to their teacher straight away if they do not understand a task
Complete all homework to the best of their ability
If students are absent, they should find out what work has been missed and catch up on
it. Being away on the day that homework is set is not an excuse for not doing it.
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The individual subject information which follows will give you some frequency and direction
on average about what is expected in individual subjects. Time spent on each subject will
vary from week to week.
Key Stage 4 Subject
Frequency of Homework
Page Number
Art
Business Studies
Child Care
Computer Science
Drama
English
Food Technology
Geography
Graphics
BTEC Health & Social Care
History
ICT
Leisure & Tourism
Mathematics
Media Studies
Modern Languages
Music
Physical Education
Product Design
Religious Education
Resistant Materials
Science
Sociology
One piece per week
One piece per week
One piece per week
One piece per week
One piece per week
Two hours per week
One homework per week
One piece every week
One piece every week
One piece per week
One homework per week
One piece every half term
One piece per week
One homework per week
One piece per week
One vocabulary per week
Two pieces per half term
Three pieces per half term
One piece every half term
One piece per week
One piece every half term
One piece per week
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
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Homework Guidelines
Key Stage 4
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Homework Guidelines
Subject:
Art
Stage Years 9 to 11
How much homework should my child be set in this subject over a one week period?
Year 9 and 10 are expected to produce a page of their sketch book each week, Year 11 are expected
to be completing coursework or preparing for their exam.
What different kinds of homework will my child be set in this subject?
Students will be researching a topic, developing ideas based on their research experimenting with
different materials and/or completing final outcomes.
How long should the different types of homework take? How will I know when the deadlines are?
Students should spend a minimum of one hour per week on their homework.
Year 10 and 11 homework is due in on a Monday.
Year 9 homework is due in on a Tuesday.
What will be assessed in this subject?
The work is assessed against the four assessment objectives.
When will there be formal assessment in this subject?
Work is assessed twice each half term.
Where can I find support to help my child in this subject?
There are after-school sessions on a Thursday.
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Homework Guidelines
Subject:
Business Studies
Stage: Years 9 to 11
How much homework should my child be set in this subject over a one week period?
Key Stage 4 students will be set one piece of homework for Business Studies every week. This will be
based on topics covered previously (so they don’t forget what has been learnt when they move onto
other topics).
What different kinds of homework will my child be set in this subject?
The homework will allow students to revise a Business Studies topic through as series of tasks on
SAM Learning and then they will be expected to complete a short test on the same topic based on
what they have revised.
How long should the different types of homework take? How will I know when the deadlines are?
The homework will take approx. one hour to complete. Students will be expected to write this in
their planners and SAM learning will also set a deadline date which will be visible to the students.
What will be assessed in this subject?
The students will be assessed on the following topics:
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Marketing and Enterprise
o Analysing the Market
o Market Research
o The Marketing Mix
o Price
o Product
o Place and E-commerce
o Promotion
o Enterprise
o Business Planning
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Business and People
o Types of Business Activity
o Business Objectives and the role of the stakeholders
o Organisation growth and location of Business
o Sole Proprietors and Partnerships
o Private and Public Limited Companies
o Other Types of businesses
o Recruitment and Retention
o Motivation
o Training
o Employment Law and Trade Unions
o Organisation and Communication
When will there be formal assessment in this subject?
Formal assessments take place regularly in Business Studies. Each time a unit is completed students
complete an online test (multiple choice and short answers) as well as a written test which requires
more in depth answers. (Minimum one assessment every half term)
Where can I find support to help my child in this subject?
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Classroom teacher
VLE – all lesson content is available on the VLE
Numerous textbooks and other commercially produced revision materials.
The Internet
Specific websites http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/business/
http://my.dynamic-learning.co.uk/
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Homework Guidelines
Subject:
Child Care
Stage: Years 9 to 11
How much homework should my child be set in this subject over a one week period?
Students are taught for 2 hours a week: in year 9 one of these sessions is dedicated to assignment
completion the other is completing a block placement in MHA parent and Toddler sessions.
All CACHE assignments will be uploaded onto the VLE so students will be able to access all tasks at
any time. Any further homework given will be investigative in nature, e.g. conduct a questionnaire
with a family member, use magazines to find images of different types of relationships.
What different kinds of homework will my child be set in this subject?
 Writing assignments.
 Preparing an oral presentation.
 Finding out information/researching a project.
 Writing newspaper articles
 Planning play activities (parent and toddler)
How long should the different types of homework take? How will I know when the deadlines are?
The homework will take approx. one hour to complete. Students will be expected to write
this in their planners and the completion deadline will be reinforced in lessons for
assignment work.
What will be assessed in this subject?
Unit 1: An introduction to working with children aged 0-5 years
Unit 2: Development and well-being 0-5
Unit 3: Childcare and development 0-5 years
External Exam: multiple choice question paper
When will there be formal assessment in this subject?
Formal assessments take place every half term.
Each unit has up to three assignment tasks – deadlines will coincide with the end of the unit and
guided learning hours.
Where can I find support to help my child in this subject?
 Classroom teacher
 Curriculum Leader – Health and Humanities
 VLE
 Text book – CACHE Foundation award “caring for children”.
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Homework Guidelines
Subject:
Computer Science
Stage: Years 9 to 11
How much homework should my child be set in this subject over a one week period?
Students will be provided with one piece of work every week.
What different kinds of homework will my child be set in this subject?
Students will be given exam questions to complete, reading in preparation for an assessment or a
lesson, revision for tests, online coding practice on CodeAcademy. Past exam papers when they
become available.
How long should the different types of homework take? How will I know when the deadlines are?
Homework should last between 30 minutes and an hour. The students will know when the
deadlines are as they will write these in their planners. Homework will be given on a Monday and
will be collected on Thursday.
What will be assessed in this subject?
All the topics from the AQA GCSE Computer Science specification will be covered to prepare
students for the exam. These topics are listed on the VLE.
When will there be formal assessment in this subject?
Formal assessments take place every half term during lessons which take place in the form of tests.
Where can I find support to help my child in this subject?
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Classroom teacher
The ICT/CS department
VLE
AQA GCSE Computer Science - Students Book by Steve Cushing. (Highly recommend that
students purchase this textbook – available from Amazon at £17-£20)
The Internet
Specific websites http://www.teach-ict.com/gcse_computing.html
http://www.codecademy.com/
http://code.org/learn
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/ict/
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Homework Guidelines
Subject:
Drama
Stage: Years 9 to 11
How much homework should my child be set in this subject over a one week period?
Drama homework will be set once every week.
What different kinds of homework will my child be set in this subject?
Students will be required to complete a range of tasks depending on which unit they are studying.
Examples of BTEC Drama homework tasks include:
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Completion of log books
Research
Completion of coursework
Learning lines
How long should the different types of homework take? How will I know when the deadlines are?
Students should spend approximately one hour a week on log book/research tasks.
Students should spend time learning lines which best suits their learning.
What will be assessed in this subject?
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Performance
Filming
Planning and marketing for a show
Knowledge of the Performing Arts Industry
When will there be formal assessment in this subject?
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Formal assessments take place every half term.
Interim and Final deadlines for assessment are clearly stated on Assignment briefs.
Where can I find support to help my child in this subject?
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Classroom teacher
Students are given clear writing frames for their log book entries.
VLE
The Internet for research and revision.
Specific websites (given on their assignment briefs)
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Homework Guidelines
Subject:
English
Stage: Years 9 to 11
How much homework should my child be set in this subject over a one week period?
2 hours per week
What different kinds of homework will my child be set in this subject?
Key Stage 4 – Grids (see attached)
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Finding and reading articles
Research tasks- finding facts
Writing for different purposes and audience
How long should the different types of homework take? How will I know when the deadlines are?
Fortnightly, students will write deadlines in planners.
Each half term, at least six points worth of tasks should be completed.
What will be assessed in this subject?
Reading and writing skills.
When will there be formal assessment in this subject?
Formal assessments take place every half term.
Where can I find support to help my child in this subject?
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Newspapers
Past Papers
Revision textbook given out at Information Evening
GCSE Bitesize
The Internet
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Homework Guidelines
Subject:
Food Technology
Stage: Years 9 to 11
How much homework should my child be set in this subject over a one week period?
Once per week. 3 lessons taught per week.
What different kinds of homework will my child be set in this subject?
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Writing assignments.
Revising for tests and exams, completing past exam papers.
GCSE coursework or preparation for controlled assessments.
Preparing an oral presentation.
Reading in preparation for lesson.
Finding out information/researching a project.
Completing an independent learning mini project.
How long should the different types of homework take? How will I know when the deadlines are?
The homework deadline is usually one week and should take no longer than 1 hour. Mini project
may be over half a term. Pupils will write deadlines in their planners.
What will be assessed in this subject?
Knowledge of the contents of the exam specification, Research work, design work, planning for
controlled assessment, evaluation and analysis.
Their performance will be assessed when completing past exam papers.
When will there be formal assessment in this subject?
Formal assessments take place every half term.
Where can I find support to help my child in this subject?
 Classroom teacher.
 VLE.
 Numerous textbooks, CD-ROMs and other commercially produced revision – materials AQA Design and Technology Food Technology (Nelson Thornes class book),
 AQA Revision guide - Food Technology
 The Internet
 Specific websites www.data.org.uk
www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/design/foodtech/
www.foodafactoflife.org.uk
www.nhs.uk/Change4Life/Pages/change-for-life.aspx
www.nutition.org.uk
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Homework Guidelines
Subject:
Geography
Stage: Years 9 to 11
How much homework should my child be set in this subject over a one week period?
Your child will receive homework in Geography once every week.
What different kinds of homework will my child be set in this subject?
Your child will be given different activities for homework, some examples are below:
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Researching current Geography news stories and writing up findings.
Revising for tests and exams.
GCSE coursework or preparation for controlled assessments.
Reading in preparation for lesson.
Completing activities after lesson to consolidate understanding from lesson.
Finding out information/researching a project.
Completing an independent learning mini project.
How long should the different types of homework take? How will I know when the deadlines are?
Your child will record homework in their planners which will include a deadline. The expected time
for completion of homework per week should be a minimum of one hour.
What will be assessed in this subject?
Pupils will be assessed on their ability to:
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Recall, select and communicate their knowledge and understanding of places, environments
and concepts.
Apply their knowledge and understanding in familiar and unfamiliar contexts.
Select and use a variety of skills, techniques and technologies to investigate, analyse and
evaluate questions and issues.
When will there be formal assessment in this subject?
Formal assessment will take place one every three weeks, this can be in the form of teacher
assessment or mock exam questions
Where can I find support to help my child in this subject?
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Geography teacher (Miss Mullen)
VLE
Numerous textbooks, CD-ROMs and other commercially produced revision materials.
The Internet
Specific websites www.geography.org.uk
www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/geography
www.s-cool.co.uk/gcse/geography
www.getrevising.co.uk/resources/level/gcse/subjects/geography
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Homework Guidelines
Subject:
Graphics
Stage: Years 9 to 11
How much homework should my child be set in this subject over a one week period?
1 piece of homework.
What different kinds of homework will my child be set in this subject?
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Research tasks.
Ongoing design work and improvements to existing work.
GCSE worksheets.
Revision for short and long tests.
Extended writing challenges.
Graphics skills.
Improving work based on teacher feedback.
Re-attempting tests where performance has been below expectations.
How long should the different types of homework take? How will I know when the deadlines are?
Typically 30 minutes – 1 hour.
Homework is recorded in the planner.
What will be assessed in this subject?
 Knowledge of subject content.
 Design tasks.
 Practical work.
When will there be formal assessment in this subject?
Once per half-term.
Where can I find support to help my child in this subject?
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Each student has a text book written specifically by the AQA exam team.
Enquiries to the teacher will be responded to quickly.
Websites of interest and support include:
http://www.technologystudent.com/
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Past exam papers can be found here:
http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/design-and-technology/gcse/design-and-technologygraphic-products-4550/past-papers-and-mark-schemes
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Revision and tests can be found at;
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/design/graphics/
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Homework Guidelines
Subject:
BTEC First Award in Health and Social Care
Stage: Years 9 to 11
How much homework should my child be set in this subject over a one week period?
Students are taught for 3 hours a week: in year 9 and 10 one of these sessions is dedicated to
assignment completion.
All BTEC assignments are uploaded onto the VLE so students are able to access tasks at any time.
Any further homework given will be investigative in nature, e.g. conduct a questionnaire with a
family member, use magazines to find images of different types of relationships.
What different kinds of homework will my child be set in this subject?
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Writing assignments.
There is one externally set exam which students will undertake in year 10 or 11. During the
term in which this is taught students will be expected to complete practise exam questions
at home.
Preparing an oral presentation.
Finding out information/researching a project.
How long should the different types of homework take? How will I know when the deadlines are?
All assignments which are uploaded on to the VLE have a deadline. This is reinforced in class time.
What will be assessed in this subject?
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Unit 3.Effective Communication in Health and Social Care - assignment
Unit 4.Social Influences on Health and Well - Being - assignment
Unit 2.Health and Social Care Values- assignment
Unit 1.Human Lifespan Development – short answer exam
When will there be formal assessment in this subject?
Formal assessments take place every half term.
Each unit has up to three assignments – deadlines will coincide with the end of the unit.
Where can I find support to help my child in this subject?
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Classroom teacher
Curriculum Leader – Health and Humanities
VLE
The Awarding Body - www.edexcel.com
Text book – Pearson “Health and Social Care”
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Homework Guidelines
Subject:
History
Stage: Years 9 to 11
How much homework should my child be set in this subject over a one week period?
KS4 students will be set one piece of homework for History every week. This will be based on topics
covered previously (so they don’t forget what has been learnt when they move onto other topics).
What different kinds of homework will my child be set in this subject?
The homework will allow students to select from a range of learning styles and activities that suit
their preference to learning. Students will be able to select homework that will range in ability
including activities focusing on comprehension to higher order thinking skills like analysis and
evaluation.
Homework tasks may include
The homework will allow students to select from a range of learning styles and activities that suit
their preference to learning. Students will be able to select homework that will range in ability
including activities focusing on comprehension to higher order thinking skills like analysis and
evaluation. Examples of these activities can include:
 Research tasks
 Conducting surveys
 Creating a mock trench
And many more…
 Writing newspaper articles
How long should the different types of homework take? How will I know when the deadlines are?
The homework will take approx. one hour to complete. Students will be expected to write this in
their planners and the completing day will be the same each week.
What will be assessed in this subject?
 Germany ‘A Depth Study 1918-1945’
 Transformation of British Society 1931-1951
 The Cold War
 A Divided Union, the American Civil Rights Movement
When will there be formal assessment in this subject?
 Students are assessed at the end of each topic with a test. Homework completion is essential
for students to achieve success in these assessments.
 Homework will be assessed online and feedback given
 Students will sit three external GCSE exams each with a duration of one hour and fifteen
minutes.
 A controlled assessment will also be carried out during the Autumn two half term.
Where can I find support to help my child in this subject?
 Contact student teachers through the VLE, or telephone
 GCSE BBC Bitesize
 Edexcel online past papers
 School textbooks
 The internet for research and revision
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Homework Guidelines
Subject:
ICT
Stage: Years 9 to 11
How much homework should my child be set in this subject over a one week period?
Students will be given one piece of homework every week.
What different kinds of homework will my child be set in this subject?
 Revising for tests and exams.
 GCSE coursework or preparation for controlled assessments.
 Reading in preparation for lesson.
 Finding out information/researching a topic.
 Completing past exam questions.
How long should the different types of homework take? How will I know when the deadlines are?
Each homework should take between 45 minutes and an hour. Deadlines will be posted on the VLE
together with the homework. Students will be expected to write homework in their planners.
What will be assessed in this subject?
Students’ knowledge on two units will be assessed.
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Unit 1
o Personal Digital Devices
o Connectivity
o Operating Online
o Online goods and services
o Online Communities
o Issues
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Unit 2
o Research and Information gathering
o Modelling
o Digital Publishing
o Evaluating outcomes
o Working efficiently and safely
When will there be formal assessment in this subject?
Formal assessments take place every half term on the unit 1 topics.
Where can I find support to help my child in this subject?
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Classroom teacher
The ICT department
VLE
Commercially produced revision materials
The Internet
Specific websites –
www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/ict
www.teach-itc.com
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Homework Guidelines
Subject:
Leisure and Tourism
Stage: Years 9 to 11
How much homework should my child be set in this subject over a one week period?
Your child will receive homework in Leisure and Tourism once every week.
What different kinds of homework will my child be set in this subject?
Your child will be given different activities for homework, some examples are below:
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Researching leisure and tourism activities.
Revising for tests and exams.
Reading in preparation for lesson.
Completing activities after lesson to consolidate understanding from lesson.
Finding out information/researching a project.
Completing an independent learning mini project.
Preparation for controlled assessments.
Exam style questions.
How long should the different types of homework take? How will I know when the deadlines are?
Your child will record homework in their planners which will include a deadline. The expected time
for completion of homework per week should be a minimum of one hour.
What will be assessed in this subject?
Pupils will be assessed on their ability to:
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Recall, select and communicate their knowledge and understanding of places, environments
and concepts.
Apply their knowledge and understanding in familiar and unfamiliar contexts.
Select and use a variety of skills, techniques and technologies to investigate,
analyse and evaluate questions and issues.
What will be assessed in this subject?
Formal assessment will take place one at the end of each unit and occasionally in the middle of a
unit, this can be in the form of teacher assessment or mock exam questions
When will there be formal assessment in this subject?
Controlled assessment will take place during year 9 based on customer service with the formal exam
taking place in summer of year 10.
Where can I find support to help my child in this subject?
 teacher (Mrs Haggan and Mrs Mitrea)
 VLE
 Numerous textbooks, CD-ROMs and other commercially produced revision materials.
 The Internet
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Homework Guidelines
Subject:
Mathematics
Stage: Years 9 to 11
How much homework should my child be set in this subject over a one week period?
Homework will be set once per week, and should take approximately an hour to complete.
What different kinds of homework will my child be set in this subject?
Homework at Sey Stage 4 is based solely on examination questions and techniques. This is to afford
students the time to consider and develop the skills required to complete examinations effectively.
How long should the different types of homework take? How will I know when the deadlines are?
Students will be informed in class when homework deadlines have been set. These will be recorded
in your child’s homework planner.
What will be assessed in this subject?
Students will be assessed twice during each half term. The first assessment, which is called a preassessment, assesses the knowledge your child’s current knowledge of the topics they will be taught
during the half term. This assessment takes place at the beginning of each half term, and allows the
Maths department to assess prior knowledge, and helps to ensure that students receive an
individualised programme of study. This assessment requires no preparation. The second
assessment which takes place at the end of the term assesses the progress your child has made
during the unit. This assessment requires preparation, and your child may be set additional
preparatory homework.
When will there be formal assessment in this subject?
Formal assessments take place twice each half term. Please see above for further details.
Additionally students will sit mock examinations, which seek to replicate the examination
experience.
Where can I find support to help my child in this subject?
If any issues or concerns arise, please contact the Maths department. There is an area of the VLE
dedicated to exam revision, which provides a range of exam questions and revision materials.
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Homework Guidelines
Subject:
Media Studies
Stage: Years 9 to 11
How much homework should my child be set in this subject over a one week period?
1 hour per week
What different kinds of homework will my child be set in this subject?
Key Stage 4 – Grids (see attached)
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Finding examples of media texts
Research tasks- exploring media in use
Using technology- creating media texts
Attend catch up sessions to gain extra support
How long should the different types of homework take? How will I know when the deadlines are?
Fortnightly, students will write deadlines in planners.
Each half term, students should complete three separate pieces
What will be assessed in this subject?
Research, retrieval and application skills
When will there be formal assessment in this subject?
Formal assessments take place every half term.
Where can I find support to help my child in this subject?
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All media texts (e.g. newspaper, advert, leaflet, website)
Past Papers
The Internet
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Homework Guidelines
Subject:
Modern Languages
Stage: Years 9 to 11
How much homework should my child be set in this subject over a one week period?
Usually they have to revise the new vocabulary and structures learnt in lessons during the week.
What different kinds of homework will my child be set in this subject?
Key Stage 4 – homework sheet/vocabulary sheet/revision workbook/writing task at the end of
module.
How long should the different types of homework take? How will I know when the deadlines are?
Pupils will have the deadline in their planner/book.
What will be assessed in this subject?
Vocabulary and structures (verbs in different tenses/forms)-all the 4 skills - Listening, Reading,
Speaking, Writing.
When will there be formal assessment in this subject?
Formal assessments take place every half term.
Where can I find support to help my child in this subject?
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Classroom teacher
Linguascope - username: mha, password: academy 13
VLE
Dictionary
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Homework Guidelines
Subject:
Music
Stage: Years 9 to 11
How much homework should my child be set in this subject over a one week period?
Music homework will be set once every week
What different kinds of homework will my child be set in this subject?
Students will be required to complete a range of tasks depending on which unit they are studying.
Examples of BTEC Music homework tasks include:
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Completion of log books.
Individual music practice.
Completion of coursework.
How long should the different types of homework take? How will I know when the deadlines are?
Students should spend one hour a week on log book/research tasks.
Personal practice should last at least 20 minutes per day on their chosen instrument/voice.
What will be assessed in this subject?
 Music Performance
 Composition
 Planning and marketing for a concert
 Knowledge of the Music Industry
When will there be formal assessment in this subject?
Formal assessments take place every half term. Interim and Final deadlines for assessment are
clearly stated on Assignment briefs.
Where can I find support to help my child in this subject?
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Classroom teacher
Peripatetic music staff if they attend specialist music lessons
Students are given clear writing frames for their log book entries
VLE
The Internet for research and revision
Specific websites (given on their assignment briefs)
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Homework Guidelines
Subject:
Physical Education GCSE/BTEC
Stage: Years 9 to 11
How much homework should my child be set in this subject over a one week period?
Students are expected to complete 1 piece of homework every week?
What different kinds of homework will my child be set in this subject?
KS4 – Homework grids on the VLE. GCSE Homework is categorised into topic areas. Students will be
directed by their subject teacher to complete the specific homework relating to the topic they are
currently studying. Homework may also include preparation for Controlled assessments.
Homework tasks may include:
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Creation of Fitness sessions / circuit training programmes
Quizzes and tests
Revision of specific topic areas, i.e. producing a presentation to demonstrate understanding
Written answers to longer, exam style questions
Analysis of data and results using bar Charts / Excel Spreadsheets
Create and upload videos of performance
Analysis of performance
Create and upload pictures or posters (e.g. pitch plans)
Rules and regulations research
Sports performance analysis assignments
How long should the different types of homework take? How will I know when the deadlines are?
Each homework tasks should take approximately 1hr. Deadlines will be for the following week
(Homework will be set in the same GCSE PE theory session each week).
What will be assessed in this subject?
 Rules / Regulations of Sport
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 Health & Nutrition
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 Video analysis
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Human Anatomy & Physiology
Fitness training and programming
Issues in Sport (e.g. exposure of women’s sport in the media)
When will there be formal assessment in this subject?
Students are assessed at the end of each topic with a test. Homework completion is essential for
students to achieve success in these assessments. Homework will be assessed online and feedback
given through the VLE. Parents can access the VLE from any PC or mobile device with internet
connection, and with the correct login are able to access all student assignments and feedback.
Where can I find support to help my child in this subject?
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Contact student teachers through the VLE, or telephone
Guidance is provided for homework tasks on the VLE.
The Internet - 2 specific websites mentioned in our homework are:
http://www.dartfish.com/en/index.htm
www.sportplan.com
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Homework Guidelines
Subject:
Product Design
Stage: Years 9 to 11
How much homework should my child be set in this subject over a one week period?
1 piece of homework or 1 Half Term Project (7 weeks)
What different kinds of homework will my child be set in this subject?
 Research tasks.
 Ongoing design work and improvements to existing work.
 GCSE worksheets.
 Revision for short and long tests.
 Extended writing challenges.
 Graphics skills.
 Improving work based on teacher feedback.
 Re-attempting tests where performance has been below expectations.
How long should the different types of homework take? How will I know when the deadlines are?
Typically 30 minutes – 1 hour.
Homework is recorded in the planner.
What will be assessed in this subject?
 Knowledge of subject content.
 Design tasks.
 Practical work.
When will there be formal assessment in this subject?
Once per half-term.
Where can I find support to help my child in this subject?
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Each student has a text book written specifically by the OCR exam team.
Enquiries to the teacher will be responded to quickly.
Websites of interest and support include:
http://www.technologystudent.com/http://www.ocr.org.uk/subjects
Revision and tests can be found at:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/design/product design/
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Homework Guidelines
Subject:
Religious Studies
Stage: Years 9 to 11
How much homework should my child be set in this subject over a one week period?
KS4 students will be set one piece of homework for Religious Studies every week. This will be based
on topics covered previously (so they don’t forget what has been learnt when they move onto other
topics).
What different kinds of homework will my child be set in this subject?
The homework will allow students to revise a Religious Studies topic through as series of tasks from
completing exam style questions, undertaking surveys or preparing presentations for the following
lesson. Pupils will also be asked to revise key words relevant to the current topic.
How long should the different types of homework take? How will I know when the deadlines are?
Homework should last between 30 minutes and an hour. The students will know when the
deadlines are as they will write these in their planners. Pupils will always be given 1 full week to
produce their homework which will be due in on the day they have their lesson.
What will be assessed in this subject?
The students will be assessed on the following topics:
Unit 2:
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Religion and Life Based on a Study of
Christianity
Believing in God
Life After Death
Marriage and the Family
Religion and Community Cohesion
Unit 8:
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Religion and Society Based on a Study
of Christianity and Islam
Rights and Responsibilities
Environmental and Medical Issues
Peace and Conflict
Crime and Punishment
When will there be formal assessment in this subject?
Formal assessments take place regularly in Religious Studies. Each time a unit is completed students
complete exam style questions which will be marked by the teacher (Minimum one assessment
every half term)
Where can I find support to help my child in this subject?
 Classroom teacher
 VLE
 Numerous textbooks and other commercially produced revision materials.
 The Internet
 Specific websites - http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/rs/
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Homework Guidelines
Subject:
Resistant Materials
Stage: Years 9 to 11
How much homework should my child be set in this subject over a one week period?
Continuation of coursework project/completion of past examination papers/1 piece of homework.
What different kinds of homework will my child be set in this subject?
 Research tasks.
 Ongoing design work and improvements to existing work.
 GCSE worksheets.
 Revision for short and long tests.
 Extended writing challenges.
 Graphics skills.
 Improving work based on teacher feedback.
 Re-attempting tests where performance has been below expectations.
How long should the different types of homework take? How will I know when the deadlines are?
Typically 30 minutes – 1 hour.
Homework is recorded in the planner.
What will be assessed in this subject?
 Knowledge of subject content.
 Design tasks.
 Practical work.
When will there be formal assessment in this subject?
Once per half-term.
Where can I find support to help my child in this subject?
 Each student has a text book written specifically by the AQA exam team.
 Enquiries to the teacher will be responded to quickly.
 Websites of interest and support include: http://www.technologystudent.com/
 Past exam papers can be found here:
http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/design-and-technology/gcse/design-and-technologyresistant materials/past-papers-and-mark-schemes
 Revision and tests can be found at:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/design/resistant materials
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Homework Guidelines
Subject:
Science
Key Stage: KS4
How much homework should my child be set in this subject over a one week period?
KS4 students will be set one piece of homework for science per week. This will usually focus on the
topic at hand and occasionally review a wider section of learning leading up to an assessment.
What different kinds of homework will my child be set in this subject?
Generally homework will consist of past paper questions to enable pupils to familiarise themselves
with the structure and content of forthcoming internal and external assessment. Sometimes the
work will be a worksheet or research topic based on the current lesson content
How long should the different types of homework take? How will I know when the deadlines are?
Homework will take 30minutes to 1 hour to complete depending on the content
What will be assessed in this subject?
The students will be assessed on the following topics:
Biology:
Homeostasis
Genetics
Classification
Interdependence
Chemistry:
Metals
Earth materials
Crude Oil and its products
Acid reactions
Patterns in the periodic table
Industrial chemistry [calculations]
Physics:
Solar System history
Use of waves
Electricity and applications
Communication
Radiation
Motion
When will there be formal assessment in this subject?
Each half term the studied units will be assessed at least twice. This will form the HT grade for pupils
and will also inform of any necessary intervention
Where can I find support to help my child in this subject?
 Classroom teacher
 VLE
 Numerous textbooks and other commercially produced revision materials.
 The Internet: www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/edexcel
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