Home Learning

Our approach to home-learning is rooted in supporting each child’s journey through school, ensuring they build confidence, independence and a love of learning along the way. We are mindful that as children move on to high school, we want them to feel prepared and capable—never overwhelmed or out of their depth.

Home-learning is designed to reinforce and consolidate learning that has already taken place in the classroom. For example, while we teach children the skills of reading in school, it is through regular practice at home that they become fluent, confident readers. In the same way, key skills in maths and spelling benefit greatly from short, consistent practice at home.

We believe home-learning should be purposeful, manageable, and supportive of each child’s progression. It plays an important role in helping pupils develop good habits for learning, gradually preparing them for the expectations of secondary education.

We also recognise that family life is busy and it can sometimes be challenging to find time for home-learning alongside work and extra-curricular commitments. To support this, our wrap around care staff are always happy to help children complete their home learning tasks. In addition, if a child is unable to undertake home learning, we provide opportunities during the school day—such as at playtimes, assembly time or through our lunchtime Reading Club—to help them keep up with their peers in a supportive and encouraging environment. We are mindful that circumstances vary, and we are committed to ensuring that no child is disadvantaged or falls behind as a result of this.

We are also happy to provide resources such a paper, felt tips, lego etc for the informal termly project work that is linked to our current topics. Please do speak to our class teachers if you need support with resources.

Please see the details below for the expectations for each class. Please note that timings are approximate.

All children have access to Ed Shed, an interactive app designed to support spelling development. Use of the app is optional; while many children find it engaging and helpful, others may prefer alternative strategies such as look, cover, write, check, to help with their spellings.

Some children may also be given access to Nessy, a specialist programme that supports learners who are developing confidence in reading or who may have dyslexic tendencies. To gain the greatest benefit, we recommend accessing Nessy at home 3–4 times per week for around 10 minutes per session. Nessy is effective when it is used consistently both in school and at home.

Whole School Expectations

Reception

Daily Reading: 5–10 minutes each day
Reading Record: Weekly sharing book, for children to enjoy with an adult.
Phonics Workbook: Weekly task to consolidate new sounds.

Year 1 / Year 2

Daily Reading: 5–10 minutes
Spellings: Six words to learn each week
Numbots: 10–15 minutes per week (number facts practice)
Informal choice of project linked to topic work. Termly

Year 3 / Year 4

Daily Reading: 10–15 minutes
Spellings: Ten words to learn each week linked to spelling pattern.
Times Tables Rock Stars: 20 minutes per week
Infinity Maths: 10 minutes per week
Weekly Additional Task: Linked to different area of our curriculum, (Approximately 10/15 minutes)
Informal choice of project linked to topic work: Termly

Year 5 / Year 6*

Daily Reading: 15-20 minutes
Spellings: Ten words to learn each week linked to spelling pattern.
Times Tables Rock Stars: 15–20 minutes per week
Infinity Maths: 10 minutes per week
Additional Task: Weekly linked to different area of our curriculum, (Approximately 15/20 minutes)
Informal choice of project linked to topic work: Termly

As we approach the Year 6 statutory assessments, some children may benefit from a little extra support at home. Where this is the case, additional home-learning may be provided to help build confidence and reinforce learning. Our Year 6 class teacher will always speak with parents beforehand to ensure this support feels appropriate and manageable for each child.