








Scoil Ghobnatan – Homework Policy
Here in Scoil Ghobnatan we view homework as an integral part of your child’s education.
We at all times endeavour to promote homework in a positive way and would hip that parents would adopt a similar positive attitude.
1.Why give homework?
2.How often is homework given?
3.What is the content of homework?
4. How much (time) homework?
The following are guidelines for time spent at homework. Different children will complete the same homework in different lengths of time. Time spent will vary from day to day and also from the beginning to the end of the school year. It is important to remember that it is the quality and not the quantity of homework matters. The following are general guidelines only:
Junior Infants – Up to 15 minutes
Senior Infants – Up to 20 minutes
Rang 1 Up to 30 minutes
Rang 2 Up to 40 minutes
Rang 3 UP to 50 minutes
Rang 4 Up to 1 hour
Rang 5 Up to 1 hour 15 minutes
Rang 6 Up to 1 hour 30 minutes
Homework is given from Monday to Thursday. Normally there is no homework at weekends or on a school day just before a public holiday. However, children in middle and senior classes may sometimes be required to work independently on projects or revision work at weekends. For children attending a Resource Teacher it may be necessary to work out a compromise between the Class Teacher and the Resource Teacher as to what homework might be appropriate.
5. How much should parents give?
6.How often should parents monitor homework?
· Parents should check and sign the child’s homework journal/notebook every evening. In Infant Classes, where children do not have a homework journal, parents can sign homework in the child’s copy/workbook.
· If children attend after school homework club, parents are asked to check and sign the homework journal. If homework hasn’t been completed at homework club, this must be completed at home.
· The pupil’s journal is an important record of the child’s homework. It is also a valuable means of communication between parents and teachers.
· Ideally, all written messages to/from your child’s teacher should be put in the homework journal. (From time to time children will get typed notes regarding various school activities/school closures etc. Please check your child’s school bag regularly for these).
· Please check that your child records his/her homework neatly in the correct page and ticks each item of homework as it is completed. Teachers will also endeavor to make sure that homework is taken down properly.
7. How often do teachers monitor homework?
· Ideally teachers like to check homework on a daily basis. However, with large class numbers it is not always possible to check each child’s homework journal every day.
· As children get older and learn to work independently, some items of homework are checked less often e.g. every second day or once a week.
· Some items of homework or classwork may be checked by children themselves, under the direction of the teacher. This can be a useful part of the learning experience for children.
· When homework is not done, or is carelessly done on a regular basis, parents will be alerted. An account of meeting/phone call will be kept. In severe cases, the school will send a formal letter to parents stating that homework is not being done or is not being satisfactorily done.
When should parents communicate with the teacher about homework?
· When your child cannot do homework due to family circumstances.
· When your child cannot do homework because s/he cannot understand some aspect of it.
· If the time being spent on homework is very often longer than the recommended amount of time.
When should homework be done?
Each family situation is different – both parents working, childminders etc. Ideally, homework should be done before any television is watched, soon after school, while your child is still fresh. However, some children need a break before starting homework. Homework should never be left until morning time before school.
REMEMBER: If homework is a stressful experience between parent and child, something is wrong. Should this happen on a regular basis, please contact the class teacher, sooner rather than later.
Ratified by B.O.M. on 01/12/2016
James Stanton – Chairperson
Michael Walsh – Principal