Home Learning and Homework
Home Learning at Chipping Warden Primary Academy
At Chipping Warden, we believe that learning extends beyond the classroom. Our home learning approach strengthens the partnership between school and families, helping every child to "get off to a flying start."
Working Together
When schools and families work together, children do better. Children learn best when they talk about or explain their work to someone else. Between ages 5-16, children spend only 15% of their lives in school, so supporting them at home really improves their chances of success. Parents and families are by far the most important early influences on children's lives.
Our Vision for Home Learning
Well-planned, purposeful home learning reinforces and consolidates classroom learning, develops independence and resilience, fosters a love of learning beyond the school day, strengthens our school community by involving families in their child's education, promotes responsibility, and builds confidence through manageable, meaningful tasks.
Home learning at Chipping Warden reflects our six core values and the British values we promote throughout our curriculum:
Our Six Core Values:
- Community – strengthening partnerships between home and school
- Courage – tackling challenges and persevering when tasks are difficult
- Creativity – inspiring imagination and innovative thinking
- Enjoyment – fostering a love of learning and celebrating achievement
- Respect – valuing learning, ourselves and others
- Responsibility – taking ownership of learning and developing independence
British Values in Home Learning:
Through home learning, children develop understanding and appreciation of:
- Democracy – making choices about their learning and expressing opinions about books and tasks
- The rule of law – following homework expectations and developing good study habits
- Individual liberty – choosing books for pleasure and pursuing their own interests
- Mutual respect and tolerance – reading diverse texts, respecting different perspectives, and working collaboratively with family members
What Home Learning Looks Like
Home learning at our school is purposeful (with clear learning objectives linked to classroom learning), manageable (appropriate for age and ability, respecting family time), varied and creative (including reading, spelling, mathematics practice, and creative or research-based projects), inclusive and respectful (accessible to all pupils with appropriate support), and celebrated (recognising effort and courage).
Benefits of Home Learning
Home learning helps your child learn how to organise and manage their time, developing good study habits; take more responsibility for their own learning; consolidate and reinforce what they have learned in school; have courage in building resilience to deal with frustrations, overcome difficulties and solve problems. Homework can also inform parents and carers of their learning, and offer an opportunity for support, encouragement and involvement from parents and carers.
Character Development
Through home learning, pupils develop character traits including honesty, integrity, courage, humility, kindness, generosity and trustworthiness. They learn to believe they can achieve their goals, stick to tasks even when rewards are distant, recover from setbacks, and develop self-efficacy and resilience.
Support Available
If your child cannot access online platforms: Teachers will provide time to complete tasks in school. Pupils can also access platforms during wraparound care.
If your child is struggling: Please speak to your child's class teacher who can provide advice and assistance.
If your child is ill or absent: There is no expectation to complete homework set during authorised absence.
If reading records are not completed: An email will be sent home reminding parents of our expectations for reading at home, including our minimum expectation of reading twice a week with an adult.
Reading – The Foundation of Learning
Reading is at the heart of our home learning approach and is fundamental to every child "getting off to a flying start". Research consistently shows that children who read frequently at home make greater progress in literacy, achieve better academic results, develop wider vocabulary, build deeper comprehension, and develop skills that benefit them throughout their education and beyond.
Reading expectations:
- Reception: At least 5-10 minutes daily with an adult
- Years 1-2: At least 10 minutes 4 times a week with an adult
- Years 3-4: Daily (15 mins) independent reading with a minimum of twice a week with an adult
- Years 5-6: Daily (20 mins) independent reading with a minimum of twice a week with an adult
Reading can include story books, non-fiction, e-books, websites, newspapers and more. Please record all reading in your child's reading diary.
Other Home Learning Activities
Reception:
- Phonics activities (Green or Yellow book – new sounds including letter formation)
- Creative/play-based tasks where appropriate
- Frank's diary – weekly opportunity to record and present to class
Years 1-2:
- Weekly spelling practice (test on Monday)
- Mathletics (online platform available)
Years 3-4:
- Weekly spelling practice (test on Friday)
- Times tables recall – CGP booklet alternating with CGP English skills book
- Mathletics (available)
- Reading Eggspress (online platform as part of daily reading)
Years 5-6:
- Weekly spelling (test on Friday)
- Mathletics/Reading Eggspress
- CGP English and Maths booklets
- Reading Eggspress (online platform as part of daily reading)
Remote Learning
In the event of extended school closure or if a class needs to learn remotely, we will provide:
Immediate provision (within 24 hours):
- Access to online learning platforms (Mathletics, Reading Eggspress)
- Daily reading expectations continue
- Links to high-quality educational resources
Ongoing remote education (from day 2 onwards):
- Daily English and mathematics lessons via online platforms or pre-recorded videos
- Foundation subject activities linked to our curriculum
- Regular feedback from teachers
- Live check-ins or recorded messages to maintain connection
- Differentiated work to meet individual needs
- Clear timetables and expectations shared with families
Support for pupils:
- Devices loaned to families who need them
- Paper packs available for those without internet access
- Regular contact from staff to monitor wellbeing and engagement
- Adjustments for pupils with SEND
Our remote learning provision ensures continuity of education whilst maintaining our commitment to developing the whole child and upholding our core values and British values.
Supporting Your Child at Home
Creating Good Homework Habits
Do:
- Find a quiet place at home with a flat surface, good light and the right equipment
- Be aware of current teaching methods (methods you used at school may confuse them)
- Plan a homework timetable and agree when your child will do their homework
- Allow your child to have something nutritional to eat before starting
- Discuss homework tasks and how they connect with school learning
- Turn off the TV (music is fine if helpful)
- Let your child try to work it out themselves – explain how to look up information rather than giving answers
- Keep it fun and make it a special time you both look forward to
Supporting the Reluctant Learner
- Read a page each or read the book to your child
- Set a time limit (10-15 minutes) – if your child is still not engaged, postpone and try again later
- End on a positive; your child's confidence will grow
- Encourage and celebrate each achievement, however small
- Use phrases like "I'm so proud of you" to build confidence and self-esteem
For Children Who Want More Challenge
- Use spellings to write sentences (nonsense and real ones)
- Use a thesaurus for synonyms and antonyms
- Help your child learn times tables up to x12 with quick and accurate recall, including related division facts
Useful Resources
For more advice and information: