Why is homework important?
Homework is a way to practice and extend learning. When your child does their homework regularly, they will feel more confident in lessons, understand their subjects more and achieve better in assessments.
In fact, if they do their homework regularly, that is the equivalent to making 5 months of extra progress (on average)!
The brain works by making connections between memories and each time we practice or recall something, we make those connections stronger. Homework helps do just this.
Doing homework regularly also means that your child can take control of their own learning. They are making sure they forget less important stuff. This is why homework should become part of their routine.
Put aside a set time for your child to do their homework each evening and commit to improving their learning.
At Cardinal Heenan Catholic School, we value the benefits of homework. We expect your child to do their homework every time, following each of their teacher’s instructions carefully.
How can your child succeed at their homework?
| Has your child…? | Why is this important? |
| Written in all parts of the homework and the deadline in their planner | Having these instructions and deadline written down means you will remember exactly what you need to do when you sit down to do your homework |
| Removed all distractions such as switching off mobile phones and televisions, turned off any music in the background | Research tells us that noise (including music!) takes up space in our memories if we are also doing something else such as homework |
| Worked at the same place each time they have homework | Having the same place as their homework area means they associate that place with learning and study |
| Got the right equipment and resources (such as their notes) ready to use | By having these resources around them, they are ready to do the task well |
| Read through all the instructions that their teacher has given them | Doing everything their teacher has asked them to do will give them every chance to succeed at your homework |
| Tried their notes or other resources when stuck, instead of giving up | If they give up at the first difficult task, then their homework will not have the same benefit to their learning compared to if they keep trying |
| Asked for help in sufficient time if they still cannot complete their homework | By asking for help from their teacher or classmates well before the deadline, they will still have the chance to complete their homework |
| Checked that they have done all parts of the homework and followed all the instructions | Doing this will make sure they complete the homework well |
| Presented their homework well | When homework is presented well, it increases the quality of that homework |
| Read through their completed homework | This helps them check for mistakes that they can correct before submitting their homework |
| Submitted their homework on time and in the right format | This is another thing they can do to follow their teacher’s instructions and succeed |
Subject Resource Links
| Resource name | Key Stage | What it can help with | Link |
| BBC Bitesize | KS3 | homework, revision and learning. Includes free videos, step-by-step guides, activities and quizzes | https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/levels/z4kw2hv |
| BBC Bitesize | KS4 | homework, revision and learning. Includes free videos, step-by-step guides, activities and quizzes | https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/levels/z98jmp3 |
| BBC Learning | KS3 and KS4 | Quizzes for improving knowledge of the English Language – grammar check and self evaluation | BBC Learning English – Course: Quizzes / Unit 1 |
| Seneca Learning | KS4 | Revision of English Langauge and Literature through quizzes |  Free AQA English Language GCSE Revision | Seneca (senecalearning.com) |
| AQA Exam Board | KS4 | GCSE English Literature and Language Specifications | AQA – education charity providing GCSEs, A-levels and support |
| Resource Name | Key Stage | What it can help with | Link |
| Mathswatch | KS3/4 | Videos and Interactive Quizzes | https://vle.mathswatch.co.uk/vle/ |
| Maths Genie | KS4 | Videos and Exam Questions | https://www.mathsgenie.co.uk/ |
| Corbett Maths | KS3/4 | Videos, Textbook exercises and Exam Questions | |
| MyMaths | KS3/4 | Lessons and Interactive Quizzes | https://www.mymaths.co.uk/ |
| Resource Name | Key Stage | What it can help with | Link |
| BBC Bitesize- Biology | KS3 | Information and quizzing | https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/z4882hv |
| BBC Bitesize- Physics | KS3 | Information and quizzing | https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/zh2xsbk |
| BBC Bitesize- Chemistry | KS3 | Information and quizzing | https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/znxtyrd |
| BBC Bitesize- Combined Science- Biology | KS4 | Information and quizzing | https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/topics/zthssrd |
| BBC Bitesize- Combined Science- Chemistry | KS4 | Information and quizzing | https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/topics/z88jjty |
| BBC Bitesize- Combined Science- Physics | KS4 | Information and quizzing | https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/topics/zqw77p3 |
| BBC Bitesize- Triple Biology | KS4 | Information and quizzing | https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/examspecs/zpgcbk7 |
| BBC Bitesize- Triple Chemistry | KS4 | Information and quizzing | https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/examspecs/z8xtmnb |
| BBC Bitesize- Triple Physics | KS4 | Information and quizzing | https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/examspecs/zsc9rdm |
| Seneca Learn | KS3 and KS4 | Quizzing practice (log in with the school gmail account) | https://senecalearning.com/en-GB/ |
| Oak National Academy | KS3 and KS4 | Video lessons and quizzes | https://classroom.thenational.academy/subjects-by-key-stage |
| Educake | KS3 and KS4 | Quizzing practice (log in with given username and password) | https://my.educake.co.uk/teacher-login |
| Resource Name | Key Stage | What it can help with | Link |
| BBC Bitesize- History | KS4 | Revision | https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/zj26n39 |
| BBC Teach | KS3 | Videos | https://www.bbc.co.uk/teach/ks3-history/zhbdpg8 |
| Resource Name | Key Stage | What it can help with… | Link to the resource(s) |
| BBC Bitesize | KS3 / 4 | Geography content and quizzing | KS3 Geography – BBC Bitesize GCSE Geography – AQA – BBC Bitesize |
| Educake Learning | KS3 / 4 | Self-quizzing and shorter knowledge-based questions | Educake – Online Formative Assessment for Homework and Classwork |
| National Geographic | KS4 | Students at GCSE to gain a wider understanding of Geographical issues and made links across topics in their studies. | National Geographic |
| Internet Geography – Knowledge organisers | KS3 / 4 | Geography knowledge organisers | Geography Knowledge Organisers – Internet Geography |
| British Geological Survey | KS3 / 4 | Allows students to explore our national geography and make links to geology and land use. | Discovering Geology – British Geological Survey (bgs.ac.uk) |
| Bing Maps | KS3 / 4 | Gives students free access to Ordinance Survey maps so they can become familiar with map skills such as grid references and OS map symbols. | Bing Maps – Directions, trip planning, traffic cameras & more |
| Resource Name | Key Stage | What it can help with | Link |
| Vocabulary guides | KS3 and KS4 | Documents for vocabulary reference and some additional verb tables at the back | Physical resource provided to students |
| GCSE Revision Guide | KS4 | Grammar references and practice questions | |
| pearsonactivelearn.com | KS3 and KS4 | Online tasks for all years to practice their learning | pearsonactivelearn.com |
| sentencebuilders.com | KS3 and KS4 | Online tasks for all years to practice their learning | sentencebuilders.com |
| languagesonline.org.uk | KS3 and KS4 | Lots of grammar practice | languagesonline.org.uk |
| wordreference.com | KS3 and KS4 | Online dictionary | wordreference.com |
| wordwall.com | KS3 and KS4 | Quizzing on any topic | wordwall.com |
| quizlet.com | KS3 and KS4 | Quizzing on any topic | quizlet.com |
| Resource Name | Key Stage | What it can help with | Link |
| teachingadget.com | KS4 | General music resources to help enhance knowledge and learning with the use of interactive games and exercises. | teachingadget.com |
| musictheory.net – Lessons | KS4 | Helps with Music theory, staff notation and being able to read music. | musictheory.net – Lessons |
| Eduqas Digital Educational Resources | KS4 | Can help with GCSE specific vocabulary, appraising practise and set piece information. | Eduqas Digital Educational Resources |
| Resource Name | Key Stage | What it can help with | Link |
| BBC Bitesize | KS3 | Information and quizzing | https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/zvc9q6f |
| Computer Science Google Site | KS4 | Theory and practice skills in programming | https://sites.google.com/cardinalheenan.co.uk/computerscience/home |
| BBC Bitesize | KS4 | Information and quizzing | https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/z34k7ty |
| iMedia Google Site | KS4 | Practical skills building and theory revision | https://sites.google.com/cardinalheenan.co.uk/creative-imedia-revision/controlled-assessment-deadlines |
| Resource Name | Key Stage | What it can help with | Link |
| GCSE Design and Technology – AQA – BBC Bitesize | KS4 | NEA and Revision | https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/examspecs/zby2bdm |
| ENGINEERING – DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY (technologystudent.com) | KS3 and KS4 | Like an online text book, find the topic/subject area and use it to help. specific links are in the KS3 homework books | https://www.technologystudent.com/ |
| Seneca Learn | KS4 | KS4 revision food and DT | https://app.senecalearning.com/courses?Price=Free |
| Resource Name | Key Stage | What it can help with | Link |
| BBC Bitesize – Physical Education – OCR | KS4 | Revision, quizzing and coursework (AEP) for GCSE PE and Sports Studies | https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/examspecs/ztrcg82 |
| Resource name | Key Stage | What it can help with | Link |
| BBC Bitesize- Business | KS4 | Knowledge and quizzing | https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/examspecs/z98snbk |
| Business ED | KS4 | Knowledge | https://www.businessed.co.uk/index.php/home/theory/gcse/edexcel-gcse-9-1-theory-notes-public#1-1-enterprise-and-entrepreneurship |
| Bizconsesh – video | KS4 | Knowledge – video explanations | https://www.youtube.com/c/BizConSeshGCSEBusiness91/playlists?view=50&sort=dd&shelf_id=1 |
| Seneca learning | KS4 | Knowledge | www.senecalearning.com |
| Resource name | Key Stage | What it can help with | Link |
| Student Art Guide | KS4 | Inspiration and examples | https://www.studentartguide.com/ |
