EDUCATION
Homework
Promotes students’ self-discipline and personal responsibility for learning and organisation
Homework at Hadley Learning Community
At Hadley Learning Community, our homework policy is grounded in educational research and structured to support student progress, foster independent study habits, and increase student motivation. The rationale for setting homework is informed by a clear understanding of what makes it effective, and it is guided by four core pillars: Access, Purposeful Thinking, Accountability, and Value.
Core Structure and Implementation
Students at HLC are expected to complete weekly homework in English, Maths, and Science through the SPARX platform. This work is adaptive, supporting retrieval practice and mastery learning. It typically takes between 30 to 60 minutes to complete. However, students are encouraged and rewarded for completing additional tasks, which enhances depth of understanding and intrinsic motivation.
In addition to SPARX, other subjects assign homework via the SatchelOne platform. At Key Stage 3, this is set fortnightly, while at Key Stage 4, it is issued weekly to support ongoing revision and preparation for assessments. Additional homework may also be set at key points during the academic year to reinforce revision or respond to assessment needs.
All homework assignments and deadlines are recorded by students in their planners, which helps instil organisational skills and personal accountability. To incentivise engagement, students receive ‘Enjoy’ Value Points for every completed homework task. Outstanding effort and achievement are celebrated both within departments and school-wide, reinforcing a culture of pride and recognition around academic effort
Support and Access
Recognising that some students may need support with their homework, HLC offers a daily Homework Club from 3:00–3:45pm, open to students in Years 7 to 10. This provides a quiet, supervised environment with access to technology and staff support.
For Year 11 students, there are additional study zones available after school. These can be booked following intervention sessions and remain open until 5:00pm, offering a valuable opportunity for students to revise or complete independent work in a focused setting.
Research-Informed Approach
Our approach to homework at HLC is shaped by a substantial body of educational research:
- Roediger and Karpicke (2017) demonstrate that retrieval practice significantly enhances learning across all age and ability groups. This underpins our use of SPARX and targeted retrieval tasks.
- According to Sylvia et al. (2014), time spent on homework correlates positively with academic achievement and motivation. Our structured homework schedule supports regular engagement without overburdening students.
- Bempechat (2018) argues that homework fosters mastery and cultivates positive learning beliefs, raising students’ self-expectations. By linking homework to curriculum progression, we ensure students recognise its value.
- Cooper, Robinson, and Patall (2006) highlight the importance of parent-child communication in homework effectiveness. HLC provides guides and platform access information to support families in facilitating homework routines.
We also acknowledge the findings of Castelino (2024), who noted that students often avoid homework when they see no value in it, struggle to access it, or lack accountability. Our policy directly addresses these barriers through the aforementioned four pillars:
- Access – Tasks are differentiated and accessible via user-friendly digital platforms.
- Purposeful Thinking – Homework is explicitly tied to curriculum goals and designed to deepen knowledge.
- Accountability – Homework is regularly monitored, and students are praised and rewarded for effort and consistency.
- Value – Through staff communication and school culture, students understand why homework matters.
Finally, staff are encouraged to reflect on the impact of their homework strategies, ensuring consistency in expectations and alignment with subject-specific goals. By embedding these principles, HLC’s homework policy supports both academic outcomes and the development of lifelong learning habits.