Skip to content ↓

St Mary's Catholic Primary Schools Trust

Homework Advice from the DfE

Government Guidelines on Homework

Government guidelines provide a broad indication of the type of activities and the expected time pupils might reasonably spend on homework.

For children in primary schools, the guidelines suggest:

  • Years 1 and 2: Approximately 1 hour per week.

However, it is emphasised that the focus of homework should be on enhancing children's learning rather than adhering strictly to the time guidelines. Activities should be planned carefully to complement the work children do at school, ensuring they are appropriate for individual students.

Key Points for Parents

  • Duration of Homework: Children should not be expected to spend significantly longer than the suggested times on homework. The emphasis is on the usefulness of the activities rather than the time taken.

  • Organisation of Homework: Schools and teachers are expected to organise homework thoughtfully so that children are not overwhelmed with tasks on any given day.

  • Focus on Reading: For the autumn term, our homework policy at St Mary’s will centre specifically on reading. We believe that reading with parents or caregivers is crucial for improving vocabulary acquisition and comprehension skills.

Suggested Homework Activities

For young children in Reception to Year 2, homework activities will primarily include:

  • Reading with Parents or Carers: Engaging in shared reading sessions to foster a love for books and improve literacy skills.
  • Informal Games: Fun activities that reinforce mathematical skills through play.
  • Spellings: Simple spelling exercises that support literacy development.

As the term progresses, the focus on reading will be reinforced through engaging activities that encourage exploration and comprehension.

Parental Support

We encourage parents to actively support their children with reading at home. While it is essential for parents to help their children with homework, there may be times when we want to observe how children can complete tasks independently.

This focus on reading is in line with the broader objectives of the government guidelines, which can be read in full on the DfES Standards Site.