Home learning at primary school can be a valuable way to reinforce learning, develop independence and build positive habits. At Churchill, we aim to ensure that home learning is purposeful, manageable and enjoyable, while supporting our pupils to become increasingly independent learners as they prepare for the next stage of their education.

We have listened to feedback from parents and children who told us they would like more opportunities to continue their learning at home. As a result, this year we have introduced weekly Missions for pupils in Years 1–6.

The Missions are designed to complement the learning taking place in school and provide opportunities for children to practise and apply their knowledge and skills at home.

Home learning is optional, and we recognise that family life is busy. Our aim is to provide useful and enjoyable opportunities rather than create additional pressure for families.

Homework in the Early Years (Reception)

In Reception, we focus on learning through play, exploration and enjoyable shared experiences. Children will receive weekly home learning challenges linked to their learning in class, encouraging them to explore, create and talk about their experiences at home.

Suggested activities might include:

• Board games to develop social skills such as sharing and turn-taking
• Art and craft activities to inspire creativity
• Everyday experiences such as shopping or baking to develop language and early maths skills
• Imaginative play, including dressing up
• Oral games such as I Spy to build vocabulary and listening skills

Daily Reading

Children benefit greatly from being read to at home. Sharing stories, talking about characters and discussing what happens in a book all help to develop language, comprehension and a lifelong love of reading.

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Homework in Key Stage 1 – Years 1 & 2

Weekly Missions

Children in Years 1 and 2 will receive weekly Missions, which will include:

• Maths Mission – opportunities to practise and apply mathematical skills
• English Mission – activities linked to reading, writing, spelling or grammar
• Reading Mission – occasionally, an additional reading-focused activity

Missions will be linked to the learning taking place in school and will be designed to be manageable and accessible for children to complete with increasing independence.

Daily Reading

Regular reading remains an important part of home learning. Children are encouraged to read regularly at home, either independently or with an adult. Parents and carers can support by listening to their child read, discussing the story and talking about new vocabulary.

Online Learning

Children also have access to platforms such as Emile and Times Tables Rock Stars to support their learning and practise key skills.

Homework in Key Stage 2 – Years 3–6

Weekly Missions

Children in Years 3–6 will receive weekly Missions, including:

• Maths Mission – to practise and apply mathematical knowledge and skills
• English Mission – linked to areas such as reading, writing, spelling and grammar
• Reading Mission – occasionally, to encourage deeper engagement with reading

As children progress through Key Stage 2, Missions will encourage them to take increasing responsibility for organising and completing their home learning.

Reading

Regular reading remains an important part of home learning. Children are encouraged to read independently or with an adult and to discuss the text, characters, vocabulary and ideas they encounter.

Online Learning

Children continue to have access to Emile and Times Tables Rock Stars to support the development and practice of key skills.

Year 6

Year 6 Missions will continue to support children in developing the independence, organisation and study habits that will be valuable as they prepare for secondary school.

 

Why have we changed our approach?

We have made this change following feedback from our parents and children. We know that many families value having more regular opportunities to support learning at home, and children have told us that they would like more activities to complete.

Rather than sending home a large selection of activities at the start of each term, we will now provide small, weekly Missions that are closely linked to what children are learning in school.

This means that home learning will be:

• Regular – with weekly opportunities to practise learning
• Relevant – linked to current learning in school
• Manageable – designed to be achievable alongside family life
• Purposeful – focused on practising and applying key knowledge and skills
• Progressive – supporting children to become increasingly independent

 

How Parents and Carers Can Help

There are many simple ways you can support your child's learning at home:

• Encourage regular reading and talk about books together
• Encourage your child to complete their weekly Missions where possible
• Ask your child about what they have been learning in school
• Encourage children to have a go independently before offering help
• Use everyday opportunities such as cooking, shopping, games and conversations to develop learning
• Help older children develop good routines and take responsibility for their home learning

Most importantly, we want home learning to be a positive experience. The weekly Missions are there to provide opportunities for children to practise, explore and share their learning – they are not intended to add pressure to family life.

If you have any questions about home learning, please speak to your child's class teacher.