These notes record the content of a discussion amongst governors of the school's Curriculum Committee on the subject of homework during a meeting on the subject (08/01/04). Comments are recorded in the order in which they were made. Discussions were focused on the possible content of a questionnaire for parents.
Governors' comments
- 'Need to communicate what homework is (specifically), when it is to be done': to children, to parents (via children?). How?
- Use Web - does anyone look at it?
- Homework diaries? Workable? Working (where already in use)?
- Need to clarify what homework (generally) is - with young children reading is their homework
- What is a reasonable amount? Are children getting a reasonable amount? Should they get any at all? (range of views likely)
- Parental involvement: should the school know how much help has been given? Need for a response slip to accompany returned homework to indicate this?
- What to do if homework is too hard?
- What do we gain by having homework?
- Non-compliance: appropriate school response? Letter to parents?
- Context of tasks: focused on classroom activities/content; a before-task (pre-cursor)?; an after-task?
- Age appropriate expectations?
- Who marks it? Always the teacher? Possibly a teaching assistant on occasions?
- How to offer feedback to parents?
- Is there likely to be confusion with parents using different methods at home
- Need for homework for parents (reference made to a meeting for parents concerning mathematical techniques run the year before)
- Report comment at year-end about child's homework record through the year - adequate feedback?
- Homework diaries - stamps in diary to indicate completed tasks
- Comments about homework explicitly included in parent consultation meeting discussions?
- 'What would you (i.e. parents) find helpful?'
