One of our continuing priorities in the school is homework as we firmly believe that regular, meaningful and challenging homework contributes greatly to exam success.

New Homework Guidelines were produced in January 1998 which clearly state the amount of homework expected in each year group, the type of tasks set and the roles and responsibilities of pupils, staff and parents in ensuring completion of homework. The main points of these guidelines are included in the Student Organiser and are as follows:-

Amount of Homework per Year Group

S1 can expect 3 hours per week
S2 can expect 3-4 hours per week
S3/4 can expect:- for General/Credit approximately 10 hours per week - across all subjects
for Foundation/General approximately 4 hours per week - across all subjects
S5/6 can expect:- approximately 2-3 hours per subject per week depending on whether they are taking full Higher Still courses or individual units.

(These timescales include revision time)

The Types of Homework will be:-

- learning facts or new words
- written tasks e.g. completing exercises
- preparation work - finding our information for a project or investigation

The Parent's Role

The completion of homework is the pupil's responsibility. However, we can all, staff and parents, play an important part in supporting pupils. We would suggest that parents try, as far as possible, to do the following:-

(i) check the Student Organiser to monitor the homework your child gets

(ii) provide a quiet area at home to allow your child to study uninterrupted

(iii) offer help with tasks if appropriate

(iv) contact the school whenever there appears to be a problem with homework (too little, too much, difficulty completing work, etc.)

(v) attend, where possible, the Parental Workshops which offer help on how to support your child at home with homework

(vi) praise your child when he/she produces good work at home

The School's Role

As a staff, we are committed to doing all we can to ensure that your child can complete the homework set. Where there appears to be a problem, we will contact you either via a telephone call from Guidance, or via a Letter of Concern (See download). If a letter of concern is sent please ensure that you return the reply slip to us so that we know what action you wish us to take.