We do not set routine, daily homework such as weekly written tasks, maths drills, or fixed time allocations. This isn’t because we expect less from our children – it’s a carefully considered decision based on evidence and research.

Research shows that regular homework for primary children has only a minimal impact on their learning, while taking up a lot of family time. We also recognise that homework can cause stress and anxiety for children and parents.

Daily homework can be difficult for some families because of differences in time, space, or support at home. By removing routine homework, we make home learning fairer for every child.

Instead of routine tasks, we are asking families to focus on two high-impact activities:

1. Daily Reading (10-20 minutes)

Reading together or listening to your child read is the single most effective thing you can do to support learning at home. It helps children to develop fluency, vocabulary, comprehension and a life-long love of reading and stories.

We ask that you spend 10-20 minutes each day reading with your child. This isn’t about checking a box – it’s about enjoying reading together and encouraging your child.

2. Times Tables

We also ask that parents help their children to learn their times tables at home.  We ask that you log onto Times Tables Rock Stars in order to support your children with their times tables work at home.  Information regarding how to log onto Times Tables Rock Stars will be sent home at the beginning of each year with children.

3. Occasional Project-Based Learning (PBL)

From time to time, children will be given a longer-term project to explore or broaden their knowledge about a topic from their lessons. These projects are aimed to help children develop research, problem-solving, creativity, and organisation skills – all important for their future learning. Children can choose how to present their work – for example, a model, a presentation or a journal. Projects will be spaced out so children have plenty of time to explore and enjoy them.

If you are a parent who expects additional homework, let me list some more beneficial activities to undertake with your children:

1. Having a conversation - asking them about their day. We recognise that a lot of our pupils struggle to talk to adults and to justify their views. How much practise are they getting at this incredibly important life skill at home? Again research shows that families where parents are not constantly on their mobile phones, or place their earbuds in on the school run have children who are more articulate, have better vocabulary and achieve higher outcomes. As a parent, I do understand the temptation to disengage from the world at times but do consider the impact this could have on your child.
2. Take them shopping with you. Let them pay for items and count the change. They will learn much more about money from being in a shop or market than from any worksheet.
3. Throughout your conversations, regularly ask them what the time is. What time does their favourite TV programme start, when does it finish? How long is it on for?
4. Cook with them.  This involves weighing and measuring, reading recipes, setting timers etc - all examples of purposeful learning along with teaching a life skill. Again, far more engaging than a worksheet.
5. Encourage an out-of-school interest.  This could be sport, music, drama or fitness-based. All of this promotes mental wellbeing, fitness, social skills, team work and problem-solving.  

Of course, we know that some children actually really do enjoy working at home or want to practise a certain skill. Some families love completing projects together. Maybe your child was inspired by a recent science unit on space or wants to learn more about volcanoes. Maybe they really want to write at home in order to practise their handwriting. If that is what your child would like then by all means let this happen. If children want ideas from a teacher then I am sure they will oblige.

All we are trying to do is ensure that all children have a healthy balance between work, rest and play - something that is important for all of us! We also hope this takes the pressure off working families to complete homework but please, do still read with your children!

The Bible reminds us that God rested on the seventh day. He did not continue working. We are encouraged to rest on the Sabbath rather than to reach for the worksheets or textbooks.