Homework Policy

Definition of Homework

Homework refers to any learning activity that students are required by the school to complete outside of curriculum time. This includes assignments and projects but not revision of school work or studying for tests and examinations.

Objectives of Homework

• Homework can reinforce students’ learning, provide feedback on their progress and cultivate a healthy disposition towards learning.  It helps to reinforce learning and deepen understanding of lessons taught; allow students to regularly practise, and apply skills and concepts taught; develop good study skills and habits; and encourage greater ownership and responsibility for independent learning.

• Homework also provides parents with timely information on the progress of their child’s learning; and opportunity to be involved in the child’s learning.

Principles for assigning homework

• Homework set has strong emphasis on the development of core skills and knowledge taught in class and seeks to promote student agency by encouraging independent thinking and decision-making.

• Differentiated assignments are set based on students’ needs and abilities, while also building students technology use through clear expectations.

• Homework can be attempted with the use of AI, if it allows for responsible and purposeful learning.

Student’s Role

• All homework assignments for each day should be recorded into the students’ handbook. Class representatives/Subject representatives will be tasked to update the subject group’s assignments in their form classroom whiteboard.

• If students are absent from school, they should find out from their classmates/buddies about the work that they have missed and to complete the work when they are well. Students should take the initiative to approach their subject teachers for consultations on Wednesdays and Thursdays if they have missed the lesson.

• All students should take pride in submitting good quality homework in a timely manner, following school guidelines when using AI tools that allows them to think critically and verify AI-generated content.

• Students need to ensure that AI use supports and not diminish their learning.

School’s Role

• School Management (SLs and MMs) will monitor the amount of homework given and act as the feedback channel for students to raise their concerns.

• Subject teachers are responsible for setting appropriate homework. They will provide timely feedback for students to reflect and improve in their learning.

• Subject teachers are to coordinate among themselves, taking reference to the homework/tests/projects written on the whiteboard, to ensure students are not overloaded on a particular day or week. They are to remind students to record the homework in their student handbook.

• Clear boundaries on acceptable use of AI for homework/assignments ought to be communicated and enforced.

Family-School Role

• It takes a village to raise a child. Parents to partner with schools in the upbringing and education of our children to grow in resilience and character.

• Parents should encourage your child to meet the homework assignments deadline through daily conversations and check-in.

• Parents can monitor and check the students’ handbook for the list of homework assignments.

• Parents can talk to your child about how AI is used in learning and explore possible tools with them.

• Parents to reinforce the importance of digital responsibility at home, reviewing the age advisory and Terms of Use.

Frequency of homework

• On average, each subject to give 1 piece of homework per week, of less than 1 hour – rationale to provide time space for students to complete their various task within the week.

Norms for homework (in terms of hours):

• Timely and useful feedback will be provided to maximise students’ learning.  This may be via teacher, peer, self-marked assignments or classroom instruction and discussions building upon the completed homework (e.g. presentation by students).