Home Learning - Be Part of the Journey

We feel it is vital that any home learning activity set by school should be fun and should allow families to spend quality time together. It should not be a task that places pressure on families or encroaches upon valuable family time.

• Offer fun ways for families to be part of and share in their children's learning journey
• Support the development of pupils’ basic skills linked to reading, writing, speaking and listening and number
• Encourage additional life skills such as independent thinking, creativity and a love of learning.

Whenever possible your child should read at home and practise any target letter sounds/words they’ve been given. School will provide ability appropriate books, but to truly read for pleasure, we also encourage children to read anything they find enjoyable at home such as newspapers, magazines, library books, web based articles etc. Once your child is a proficient reader they do not have to read to an adult, but we do encourage them to independently record their own reading in their reading records. Reading records should be in school daily and will be checked regularly.

EARLY YEARS

Each Friday, children in the Early Years, Reception classes will receive home learning tasks – including revision of basic skills or work that correlates to their learning that week, for example counting whilst cooking. Homework should be shared with teacher by the following Wednesday and can be evidenced through shared photographs or written work.  In the EYFS, is essential that parents read often to their children.  Once children can decode words and blend letter sounds together to read, the roles can reverse and children can take the lead. 

KEY STAGE 1 & KEY STAGE 2

From Year 2 upwards (and later in the year for Year 1), each Monday, children will receive weekly spellings in their spelling book. Your child needs to learn these ready for a test on Friday. The test will be completed in the back of their books so you will be able to see how they have done. Spelling books MUST be in school on a Friday.  

In key year groups, Year 2 and Year 6 in particular, additional homework to prepare pupils for National tests may also be set throughout the year.  

MARVELLOUS MATHEMATICIANS

Times tables and  number bonds should be practised as often as possible e.g. for the number 10, number bonds include:  7 +3 =10,   5 + 5 = 10, 6 + 4 = 10 etc, including subtraction number sentences.  Year group information booklets, issued in the autumn term, also contain suggestions and ideas for families to use when working on these concepts with your child/ren. These booklets are also displayed on the school’s website, within year group pages.

MATHLETICS

Bedford also subscribes to Mathletics (www.mathletics.co.uk) Tasks will sometimes be set by class teachers using this site, however the site also contains a wealth of activities that can be used by families at any time to support your children. Passwords and user login details are available from your child’s teacher.

If you require any support gaining access to the Mathletics site or don’t have internet access at home please drop in to our weekly home learning sessions, which take place every Tuesday from 3.10 - 3.45 pm Children are also able to use these slots to practise their spellings or read quietly. We ask that pupils in EYFS and KS1 attend with an adult. Pupils in KS2 are able to attend without parents. We ask that pupils are collected promptly at 3.45pm. Please be aware that the school’s policy re: late collection also applies to all club activities.

FAMILY LEARNING EVENTS  

Family Learning Events to support you with your child’s homework will be organised during the year.  Look out in the Bugle, on the school’s digital display board and on our website or further details. These events will take place both within school hours and in the evening, to provide all parents with the opportunity to attend. 

WE HOPE YOU WILL ENJOY LEARNING AND WORKING TOGETHER!

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