Reading and Homework

Homework from September 2025

At WPA, we try to ensure we always endeavour to find a balance. We have carried out research and listened to parents and so, have made some changes with regards to homework for September 2025. 

Reading and Homework

Reading  - From the end of the children’s first week in Reception they will be sent home with a reading book and reading record. This will start off with picture books and move through the phonics stages of different sounds the children are learning (this is in line with our phonics scheme and must be adhered to). Parents are asked to read with their child daily, discuss the story and ask them questions about the book. Parents should write comments in their child’s reading record and these should be acknowledged (when reading with the child) a minimum of once a week). We will change reading books once a week.

Homework - At WPA, we believe homework should be simple, accessible and purposeful and should link directly to the curriculum.  It should have a positive impact on pupil progress and academic achievement.

Aims

The aims of Homework are:

• to help pupils develop the skills of an independent and curious learner;
• to share learning with parents and to empower
• to consolidate skills and understanding and extend school learning;
• to promote cooperation between home and school in supporting each child's learning.

All children are expected to complete their homework. Each child will have a spelling book and a reading journal and a login for their year group’s maths platform.

What is expected?

All year groups

At the start of each term, teachers will set a topic-based homework based on what is being learnt that term e.g. Misty Mountains, Winding Rivers or Magnificent Monarchs.  This will be a menu of 4-5 activities linked to the topic which the children can choose from. Children do not need to do them all. 

General weekly - Homework will be sent out on a Monday and needs to be returned/ submitted to school by Monday for feedback and next steps. Homework does not need to be differentiated unless appropriate. You may set separate tasks for SEND if appropriate but may utilise adaptive teaching and scaffolds.

Reception will share a phonics newsletter for each new set of sounds for parent to practise with their children. They will send home a weekly phonics reading book and reading journal to be filled in by parents.

Y1 and Y2 will set a weekly phonics/spelling task to be stuck into their spelling book.

Y1 and Y2 will also set a weekly Maths task; this will be on Numbots. Reception will include a Maths/ number-based task in their Topic Menu homework and recommend to parents that children access Numbots.

Y3, 4, 5 ,6 will set a weekly spelling homework in a spelling book.

Y3 and 4 must also  set Times Table Rockstars homework which needs to be monitored.

Y 5 and 6  must also set an Educake homework which needs to be monitored.

Y6 will also be given SATS preparation homework and materials, including CGP.

Homework is always based on what we are doing in class so parents know what we are doing too. It is important that all children carry out the homework so that children are supported both at home and school to achieve their potential.

Homework is anything children do outside the normal school day that contributes to their learning. It is not the same as remote learning as this is designed to replicate school day learning virtually and support children and their families when they cannot attend.

Homework encompasses a whole variety of activities instigated by teachers to support the children's learning. Homework is an important part of a child's education, and can add to a child's attitude to learning and development. We believe children can benefit greatly from the complementary learning that they do at home; it is an important part of the learning partnership between pupils, teachers and parents. One of the aims of our teaching is for children to develop as independent learners, and we believe that taking part in Homework enables our pupils to further develop their independence and organisational skills.

Homework is planned and prepared alongside all other programmes of learning and developed in conjunction with all staff and in response to the children’s varying needs.

We acknowledge the important role of play and free time in a child's growth and development. Whilst we value Homework, it is important that it should not prevent children from taking part in a wide variety of extended schools opportunities both at and beyond school.

Inclusion in Homework

We set Homework for all children as a normal part of school life. We ensure that all tasks set are appropriate to the ability of the child, and we endeavour to adapt any task set so that all children can contribute in a positive way. When setting Homework to pupils who are named on the SEND Register, we may refer to those pupils' individual learning plans.

Parent Partnership

We recognise the valuable role that parents have in Homework. They can support, encourage, model tasks and provide information for the class teacher. We ask parents to encourage their child to complete the homework tasks that are set. We invite them to help their children as and when they feel it to be necessary and to provide them with the sort of environment that allows children to do their best.