Why do we have homework at St John’s?

At St John’s, homework helps students grow their knowledge & skills, feel confident in lessons, & experience success. It keeps school & home connected by giving students regular chances to practise, review, & build on what they’ve learned. Homework also helps students become more independent & responsible, preparing them for the next stage of their education & life beyond school. It’s an important part of learning because it reinforces new ideas, strengthens memory, & helps teachers spot where extra support might be needed.

How is homework set?

At St John’s, English, Maths & Science set homework weekly; all other subjects set it fortnightly. Homework is set & due on the same weekday for each subject to build a clear routine. Tasks appear on Bromcom with instructions & deadlines for students & parents to view. Teachers check work regularly, use it to plan next lessons, & quickly follow up on any missed or incomplete tasks so every student stays on track.

How long should a student spend on their homework?

At Key Stage 2, students complete around 2 hours of homework per week (≈ 20 minutes each weekday). At Key Stage 3, this increases to about 3½ hours per week (≈ 30 minutes each day), & at Key Stage 4 to around 5 hours per week (≈ 45 minutes each day). These are the minimum expectations for independent study because regular review & practice help students retain key knowledge for longer & apply it more confidently in lessons.

What types of homework are set?

Homework at St John’s focuses primarily on the recall of key facts, definitions, & concepts to strengthen long, term memory & understanding. Alongside this, students complete the application of practical skills within creative & technical subjects, & will also have the option to engage in longer, term enrichment projects that make meaningful links across subjects & deepen their understanding.

• SPARX Learning: Short, regular Maths & Reading practice aligned with the curriculum. SPARX personalises questions, gives instant feedback, & adapts to fill gaps, increase challenge, & offer further practice & stretch for every learner.
• Self, Quizzing: Short, regular recall of key knowledge & facts, revisiting both recent & prior learning so knowledge sticks & pupils can retrieve it confidently in class. This steady rhythm of recall across subjects ensures learning is strengthened over time & rarely forgotten.
• Skills Practice: Practical & creative homework mainly used in Creative Arts & technical subjects, enabling students to apply, refine, & master skills through purposeful practice.
• Termly Projects: Cross, curricular enrichment projects that connect learning across subjects from the previous term.

SPARX Learning (Personalised Intervention & Adaptive Challenge)

• Log in to SPARX & open this week’s task; work in your ‘homework book’ & label the questions clearly.
• Use hints, correct mistakes, & continue until it shows Completed/100%.
• Bring your ‘homework book’ to lessons.

Self, Quizzing (Knowledge Retrieval & Recall)

• Use the flashcards to complete Look - Cover - Write - Check; correct answers when needed.
• Once you are experiencing a high success rate with the flashcards. Complete the short recall quiz.
• Re-visit flashcards & complete the cycle again until you achieve 100% or you exceed the suggested time limit for the homework.

Skills Practice (Creative & Technical)

• Read the brief on Bromcom or homework booklet; ensure you have the right equipment/materials.
• Practise as directed.

Termly Projects (Cross-curricular)

• TBC

What support is available for homework?

Students have access to a range of support & resources to help them complete homework successfully:

• A Homework Club runs after school in the library every Monday & Thursday, providing a quiet & supervised environment for independent study.
• Each faculty offers subject, specific support sessions at set lunchtimes across the week (see timetable), where teachers are available to answer questions or provide further guidance.
• During these times, students have access to school devices, printers, & stationery to help complete or submit tasks effectively.
• If further help is needed, parents & carers can contact the school via the enquiries email for advice or clarification.

What are the expectations for students & families?

• At St John’s, homework is a core part of learning,  not an optional extra. We expect all students to:

• Check Bromcom daily for homework tasks & deadlines.

• Complete all homework to the best of their ability & submit it on time, ensuring all tasks are completed & uploaded/handed in before the deadline.

• Where there are concerns about missed or incomplete homework or a pattern begins to emerge, students will be expected to attend a weekly Homework Support session until consistent habits of independent practice are established & recent work is up to date.

How can Parents & Carers support?

• Checking the Bromcom app regularly to monitor homework & deadlines.
• Encouraging their child to complete tasks in a quiet, well, lit space free from distractions.
• Helping to establish a consistent routine for homework each evening.
• Offering praise, encouragement, & interest in their child’s learning.

• Please note, for students to join trips, fixtures, or non, essential time out of lessons, homework must be completed & handed in on time. If there are exceptional circumstances (e.g. illness or agreed adjustments), we’ll arrange a more suitable plan with you directly.