Home Learning

At Marlborough Primary School, we believe that a balanced home learning programme is beneficial for the following reasons:

to give parents opportunities to be directly involved in their children’s learning
for children to consolidate skills and extend their learning beyond what has been taught in the classroom to foster good habits in preparation for the demands of secondary school.

Home Learning Procedures

Home learning is most successful when parents/carers provide a supportive, quiet environment, setting aside discrete time for tasks to be completed. Parents/carers are encouraged to be involved with their children’s home learning, helping as needed, overseeing the completion of all tasks, ensuring work is well presented and given in on time.

Reading: When children are still developing their reading skills, adults are to read with their child daily. In EYFS and KS1, parents/carers make a comment and initial their child’s reading record every day.

In KS2, children write their own comment in their reading journals and home adults initial the record every day.

Reading journals and book bags are taken home daily and returned to school in good condition. Parents are to inform class adults immediately when reading books/journals are misplaced, lost or damaged and are then asked to contribute to a replacement fee (see Charging and Remissions Policy).

If a child or parent has indicated that they require additional support or guidance with any home learning task, we ask that they get in touch with the class teacher before the home learning is due. Support will be arranged before school or at playtime so the child can reattempt and successfully complete the task at home.

Class teachers follow up with parents of those children who are not completing home learning. On the rare occasion that home learning is consecutively not completed, this is followed up by Phase Leaders.

Assignment of Home Learning

Home Learning (from Nursery to Year 5) is set every Friday. It is set online (via Google Classroom) and is completed in Home Learning books. Completed Home Learning is returned to school by Wednesday of the following week.

Home Learning is marked by either the teacher or the partner teacher. Marking consists of a tick and a short comment. Children are also praised in their home learning books for effort and outcomes. It is expected that home learning is completed to the same quality as in school learning.

Home Learning in EYFS

In EYFS, parents and carers are expected to read with their child daily. Parents/carers are expected to include comments on their child’s reading progress at home. Class teachers will sign to acknowledge comments and answer any questions.

Alongside this, parents and carers, have constant access to their child’s online learning journal through Tapestry. Observations can be recorded from home by the parents, to add to the child’s Tapestry journal. Every Friday, parents/carers receive observations detailing their child’s learning that week.

In Nursery, children receive a wordless Phase 1 book (phase 2 in the summer, if the child is ready) and three bedtime picture books to read at home with their parents/carers every Monday. A newsletter is sent to parents every Friday evening via Tapestry. In the weekly newsletter, parents are given suggestions for activities and book recommendations linked to the following week’s text or theme. Parents/carers are encouraged to upload observations of their child’s learning experiences at home.

In Reception, children are set Home Learning on a Friday through the weekly newsletter on Tapestry. This Home Learning is linked to the current learning in the classroom and is usually practical. Children are encouraged to work alongside their parents to complete this. Parents are encouraged to upload their home learning on Tapestry for the following week. Alongside this, parents/carers will also receive phonics worksheets to support their children’s recall and practise of prior learning.

Home Learning in Key Stage 1

Every child should read for at least 15 minutes every day. Please see the reading at home guidance found on our website.
Phonics/ Grammar and/or Punctuation Practice
Handwriting
Spelling
Reading Comprehension – reading a comprehension booklet/text and answering questions
Maths - a set task on google classroom to be completed in Home Learning books

Within the phonics, grammar, punctuation and reading comprehension tasks there is an expectation that children write in full sentences, so that writing is built in and regularly practiced through weekly Home Learning tasks.

Home Learning in Key Stage 2

Every child should read for at least 20 minutes every day. Please see the reading at home guidance found on our website.
Grammar and/or Punctuation Practice
Handwriting
Spelling
Reading Comprehension – reading a comprehension booklet/text and answering questions
Maths a set task on google classroom to be completed in Home Learning books
Year 3 and 4 are set times tables to learn weekly
Any child not yet proficient in Years 5 and 6, continue their memorisation of times table facts

Within the grammar, punctuation and reading comprehension tasks there is an expectation that children write in sentences and paragraphs (depending on the task) so that writing is built in and regularly practiced through weekly Home Learning tasks.

Home Learning for children with an EHCP

For all children with an EHCP, we will assess and review on an individual basis and set Home Learning, where appropriate and according to individual strengths, needs and priorities.

Extended Learning Projects

From Reception to Year 6 the children will be set a half termly extended learning project. This will be linked to current or future learning and most likely linked to their learning in the humanities or science. The children will be invited to present their learning in different forms throughout the year.