At Budmouth Academy, we recognise the positive benefits that completing regular, valuable homework can provide and are committed to extending the teaching of our subjects outside of the classroom.
Homework is important in raising student achievement and enhancing student learning opportunities. The Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) underlines in its research how the regular setting of meaningful homework tasks can result in additional progress for secondary students of up to +5 months across a key stage. The EEF also states that ‘Effective homework is associated with short, focused tasks which relate directly to what is being taught and is built upon in school.’
Homework is an integral part of our curriculum because:
- It provides students with the opportunity to review and consolidate their learning to ensure it is not forgotten.
- It also provides students with the chance to extend and build upon their knowledge.
- It develops students’ independence; ability to organise and manage their time as well as a sense of responsibility and self-discipline.
- It supports a valuable learning link between home and school.
- It will allow students to practise the knowledge and skills they have already gained in school, so they are able to retrieve and process information.
We have implemented a carefully designed blend of online platforms, subject-specific deliberate practice, and structured revision, tailored to the needs of each key stage. This approach supports the learning that takes place every half term and is adapted to the personalised retrieval demands of each student’s knowledge and skills.
Online Platforms (Year 7 to 11)
Students in Year 7 to 11 complete weekly tasks set on Sparx Maths, Sparx Science and Sparx Reader online platforms.
Tasks will be set every Monday at 08.00 and due the following Monday 08.00. Any device with internet access can be used. Students log into their online platforms by accessing the Sparx website/app, typing in Budmouth Academy and using their student google login details that they use daily in school. Students are expected to attempt 100% of the weekly tasks set on each subject platform to ensure completion.
Subject Deliberate Practice (Year 10 and 11)
The Subject Deliberate Practice is a learning activity where Year 10 and 11 students apply what they have been studying in a specific subject. This practice includes exam-style preparation, giving students the chance to rehearse exam techniques, manage time effectively, develop skills and build confidence in showing their knowledge under assessment conditions.
Subjects set students deliberate practice tasks once per fortnight (approximately 30 minutes in total). Students complete this in their bespoke homework exercise books (the same exercise book used for all subjects). It will be set in the first lesson of that subject in Week 1 and due in the first lesson of that subject the following Week 1. Students have two weeks to complete each subject’s deliberate practice. Clear success criteria and deadlines will always be provided and shared on Google Classroom.
Effective Revision (Year 7 to 11)
When year group assessments take place, students will be able to use their homework time for revision instead of online platforms for the duration of the assessment window. They will keep a simple daily revision log in their homework book to show which techniques they have used, linked to their Personalised Learning Checklists (PLCs) for each subject. For ideas and guidance, please see the ‘Assessment & Effective Revision’ page on our website.
Parents and Carers can best support at home by:
- Providing a quiet space and building a consistent routine.
- Encouraging their child to start early, so they can ask for help if needed in advance of deadlines.
- Being aware of the deliberate practice deadlines set on subject google classroom pages (Y10 & 11).
- Allowing their child to work independently as Sparx adapts to their responses.
- Accessing useful instructional videos to help navigate the online platforms:
- Accessing the weekly Sparx email that includes a direct link to the Parent Portal showing a record of past tasks completed and celebration emails when a Sparx Reader book is completed.
- Let the academy know if any support is needed to complete homework tasks effectively.