Homework with Impact: Why What You Set and How You Set It Matters

This book reveals the types of homework activity that are most beneficial to pupils’ attainment and makes sense of the research on homework and how it can be used most effectively. Suggesting ways in which the impact of homework can be improved, this book offers practical ideas, strategies and activities that teachers can implement, trial and adopt in their own classrooms.

The guidance in this book is based on over 5 years research and links current evidence from cognitive psychology on retrieval practice, spacing and interleaving to the setting of homework. The book includes the following:

• suggestions for effective preparation tasks
• a discussion on metacognition and how this can help pupils revise and complete schoolwork independently
• an overview of how we can effectively check homework
• the importance of feedback
• how schools can support pupils and parents with homework as well as the importance of having a crystal-clear homework policy.

This is essential reading for for school leaders and teachers of all subjects, across all phases wanting to ensure that their homework activities have a real impact on pupil’s learning.

Andrew B. Jones is Assistant Headteacher for CPD and Professional Mentoring at The Reach Free School in Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, and a Founding Fellow of The Chartered College of Teaching.