Homework Policy

Homework at Hampton: guidance note for prospective parents

Many prospective parents are understandably keen to learn more about our approach to homework at Hampton.  There has been press comment recently, nationally and locally, about schools’ policies on homework.  There is some suggestion that homework itself is a negative thing, getting in the way of enjoyable learning and stopping boys and girls from benefiting from the fun of co-curricular activities. 
We hope that this document will give you the information which you need.  Do ask for further details if you wish.

Three things need clarifying at the outset:

(i) Hampton is committed to co-curricular activities and we timetable them each day, mostly in the lunchtime break: for details, see the co-curricular activities leaflet;

(ii) we see homework, perhaps better referred to as “personal study and learning” as a positive, enriching and essential part of the learning process which should be fun not a chore;

(iii) homework has its place in a balanced education and helps give boys independent learning skills which they will use at university and beyond.

The topic of how much homework is necessary or desirable for pupils’ progress, interest and understanding has been the subject of considerable recent debate, with some schools choosing to reduce the amount set to a minimum.  We do not subscribe to the latter approach, yet we are aware that adjusting to increased homework demands is one of the challenges of the transition from junior to senior school. 

This is the likely homework schedule in the First Year (Y7); in each term there will be a “homework holiday” week used for consolidating progress.

One homework  per week of about 20 minutes in the following:

Biology, Chemistry, Physics, History, R.S., Geography

Two homeworks per week of about 20 minutes in the following:

English, Maths, Latin, Design & Technology, Art, Music, French or German or Spanish

Setting and marking homework enables teachers to assess boys’ understanding regularly and to reinforce and extend work done in lessons. Homework also offers an important opportunity for the boys to learn the pleasure and good habits of private, independent study. We have high standards and the expectation is that all homework will be completed to the best of a boy’s ability and on time.

Bright boys should be inspired by their teachers and their subjects; without the opportunity to extend and stretch themselves in extra personal investigation and study they will be under-challenged and bored.

All boys in the First to Third Years have a homework planner so that parents can oversee the work and can communicate any difficulties quickly and easily (usually via e-mail) to the relevant subject teacher or the Form Tutor.