Peppard Church of England Primary SchoolHomework
Supporting learning, building confidence and encouraging a love of learning
At Peppard Church of England Primary School, we believe that learning is a journey shared between children, families and school. We know how important parents and carers are in helping children grow in confidence, develop new skills and discover the joy of learning.
Our approach to homework reflects our Christian vision:
“Encourage one another and build each other up.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:11
Through our values of Kindness, Respect and Perseverance, we aim to make homework a positive, purposeful and manageable experience for every child.
We believe that homework should support and celebrate the learning taking place in school, rather than create additional pressure at home.
After all, childhood is also about playing, exploring, enjoying the outdoors, developing friendships and spending precious time with family.
Our Approach to Homework
At Peppard, we believe that a little learning, often, can make a big difference!
Homework is designed to:
Build confidence by practising skills already taught in school.
Develop independence and responsibility as children grow.
Encourage a lifelong love of reading.
Strengthen the partnership between home and school.
Celebrate effort, progress and perseverance.
Reading is at the heart of everything we do. Sharing books, listening to stories and talking about reading are some of the most valuable ways families can support their children's learning.
We value quality and consistency over lengthy homework tasks. Most importantly, we want children to feel proud of their efforts and enthusiastic about learning.
What Does Homework Look Like in Each Class?
Peppard Class – Reception
Little steps, big achievements!
In Reception, our focus is on developing early reading skills, phonics and a love of books.
We encourage families to:
Share books and stories regularly, talking about pictures, characters and events.
Practise reading at least three times a week, recording this in your child's reading record.
Practise phonics sounds, words and short activities provided by the class teacher.
Our message: Keep it short, enjoyable and full of encouragement. A few minutes sharing a story or celebrating a newly learnt sound can make a wonderful difference.
Greys Class – Years 1 and 2
Growing confidence and building strong foundations.
As children develop their reading, writing and mathematical understanding, regular practice helps them become more confident learners.
We encourage children to:
Read for 10–15 minutes from Tuesday to Friday and over the weekend.
Practise phonics and spellings when directed by their teacher.
Practise number bonds, number facts and simple calculations.
Enjoy occasional activities linked to classroom learning.
Our message: Short, regular practice works best. Reading together, playing number games and talking about learning can make homework enjoyable and rewarding.
Highmoor Class – Years 3 and 4
Developing independence and perseverance.
In Years 3 and 4, children begin to take greater responsibility for their learning while continuing to benefit from encouragement at home.
Homework will normally include:
Reading for 15–20 minutes every day.
Daily Doodle Maths practice.
Regular multiplication-table practice.
Spelling and vocabulary activities where appropriate.
Our message: Encourage your child to have a go independently, celebrate their progress and continue talking about the books they are reading.
Springwood Class – Years 5 and 6
Preparing for the next exciting chapter.
In our oldest class, homework helps children consolidate their learning and develop the independence, organisation and confidence they will need as they prepare for secondary school.
Homework may include:
Reading for 20–30 minutes daily, recorded in their Homework Diary.
Multiplication-table and arithmetic practice using CGP resources.
Weekly spellings in preparation for a spelling test.
For Year 6, daily spelling, punctuation and grammar (SPaG) activities from the Spring Term.
Occasional activities linked to science and other curriculum subjects.
Our message: We encourage children to take increasing responsibility for organising and completing their work, knowing that support and encouragement are always available.
How Can You Help at Home?
You do not need to be a teacher to make a difference to your child's learning. The simplest everyday activities are often the most valuable.
Read together. Whether it is a bedtime story, a library book or discussing a favourite character, sharing reading experiences helps children develop language, imagination and confidence.
Create a positive routine. Find a time that works for your family. Short, relaxed sessions are often much more effective than lengthy periods of homework.
Encourage independence. Give your child time to think, try and make mistakes. Learning to persevere is an important part of growing up.
Celebrate effort. Praise your child for trying hard, making progress and showing determination, not just for getting the right answer.
Make everyday moments count. Cooking, shopping, gardening, playing board games, counting money and exploring Peppard Common are all wonderful opportunities to learn together.
Keep talking to us. If something is proving difficult, please speak to your child's class teacher. We are always happy to help.
Everyone Child Matters
At Peppard, we understand that every child is unique and every family is different.
Homework should never become a source of unnecessary worry, frustration or conflict at home.
We are committed to ensuring that homework is inclusive and accessible to all children, including those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
Where appropriate, teachers can adapt activities, provide additional resources or offer alternative ways for children to complete their learning.
We also recognise that families have different commitments and access to resources or technology. Please speak to us if you need support.
Our priority is always your child's wellbeing, confidence and enjoyment of learning.
Working Together to Help Every Child Flourish
At Peppard, we want children to understand that learning happens everywhere, not just in the classroom.
It happens when we share stories, ask questions, explore the natural world, solve problems and discover something new.
By working together, we can help our children become confident, curious and independent learners who are proud of what they achieve.
Thank you to all our families for the encouragement, patience and support you give your children every day.
Together, we can encourage one another, build each other up and help every child flourish.
Further Information
You can read our full Homework Policy 2026–2029 for further information about our approach and expectations.
If you have any questions about homework or would like additional support, please speak to your child's class teacher or contact the school office.
Email: office@peppardprimary.co.uk
Telephone: 01491 628354