At UCC we consider homework an integral part of education and aim to set our students a range of tasks to consolidate and widen their learning.

Through homework we aim to:

• equip students with the independent learning skills required for further education and later life
• give students the opportunities to work independently of the teacher, support staff and peers, to work at their own pace and to help inform on progress
• engage parental co-operation and create channels for home-school dialogue
• consolidate and extend the work covered at school
• give opportunities to reach beyond the confines of the school curriculum by challenging all students
• engender self-discipline with regard to meeting deadlines and balancing school-life pressures
• provide opportunities for students to apply their school work in a wider context

How is homework set and marked?
We do not specify set amounts of homework time per subject per week as our curriculum and the supporting schemes of learning vary week by week. Subject curriculum maps can be viewed here. Instead, homework should only be set if it is meaningful and either consolidates prior learning or prepares students for future learning. In practice this means that sometimes a subject may need to set more homework over a shorter time period or there may be a period where there is less specific homework set, focusing instead on revision or independent study. However, we would expect the majority of subjects to be setting homework at regular intervals to support student learning and engagement (for certain practical subjects it may not be feasible to set homework regularly for each year group).

In accordance with our Feedback for Learning policy (found here) , we encourage staff to mark examples of student work which will have the most impact on the student progressing in their learning. This may be a task completed in school or at home. Therefore, you should expect teachers to acknowledge your child’s homework but it may not always be marked.

When will homework be set?
We ask all our teachers to ensure that homework, when set, is given a suitable deadline to allow students at least several days to complete it. This helps to develop organisational and time management skills in our students, plus it gives them the opportunity to speak to their teacher before the deadline if they require support with a task.

All homework tasks will be posted by teachers onto Satchel:One with a description of the task, supporting resources if applicable and the deadline.

How can parents/guardians be involved?
Parents and guardians can encourage students to access Satchel:One regularly so they are aware of all the homework tasks due. This online platform can also be used for student messages from teachers so should be checked every day. Ideally notifications should be allowed so students can stay up to date on new announcements.

Parents/guardians can also:

• provide an appropriate workspace for students to complete homework, free from disturbance and distractions
• encourage students to work independently but to ask for help from parents or teachers if unsure
• encourage good time management, such as breaking down long tasks into manageable chunks, and not leaving everything to the last minute
• provide access to a computer, printer and the internet when appropriate and encourage student to seek alternative arrangements if this is not possible (in such circumstances students can use the computer rooms at lunch time)

    

Satchel:One
At UCC all homework that is set for students will be available on the Satchel:One online calendar. This shows clearly the due date of the homework and includes details of the task with other resources or links attached if appropriate.

To find your child’s homework on the Satchel:One website simply follow the steps below:

1. Go to the UCC website: www.uppinghamcollege.org.uk
2. Click on the ‘Parent’ drop down menu at the top, then select ‘Homework’. This will take you to the Satchel:One Calendar for UCC.
3. Now click on ‘log-in’: each student and parent has a personal username and password and a rescue PIN. Once you are logged in you can see an online ‘to-do list’ for your child. This will include all the details of the homework tasks, relevant attachments and web links.
4. Any problems or forgotten log-in details please contact Student Services at: studentservices@ucc.rutland.sch.uk

Click here for more details on using Satchel:One