Dear Parents/Carers,
I am writing to inform you that from Monday 10th June homework will be simply for children to practice spellings, times tables and, most importantly, to read to an adult daily.
Staff will no longer be giving out regular homework worksheets for children to complete but will, from time to time, be asking children to complete a task at home to support classroom work.
Staff are currently undertaking a significant review of the way we deliver the National Curriculum at Pontesbury. We will update parents and carers so they understand the curriculum; the way in which it is delivered; the impact it has on the life chances of our pupils and the way in which the curriculum underpins our vision.
‘Pontesbury CE Primary provides a rich and inspiring education built on Christian values. We have a culture of high aspiration, hard work and resilience so every child will reach their potential. We are committed to broadening our children’s horizons and promoting the health and well-being of all.’
The most important thread which binds and permeates through all aspects of our curriculum is reading. If children have a love of reading and the skills with which to read to the best of their ability, then the love of learning spreads to all other areas of the curriculum. Pupils become more independent learners; they become more resilient learners and, quite simply, they become more aspirational. Reading is the key for a child to unlock their full potential.
This is why we ask that all pupils are encouraged to read at home with an adult on a daily basis, which is the reason why we are stopping regular written homework tasks.
I know as a parent myself that homework often provides a window into the work our children are undertaking at school, especially when questions about the school day are often met with silence! From September therefore, staff will be regularly posting on the website information about the planned curriculum and running after school workshops for parents and carers during the autumn term to explain how we teach our curriculum, for example the ways we teach reading across the school and addition, subtraction, multiplication and division from reception to year six.
Thank you for taking the time to read this post and if you wish to discuss this with me at any time please do catch me either at the beginning of the day, on the playground after school or arrange a suitable time to meet by contacting the office staff.
Kind regards
Mr Langford