Here are some general guidellines on what type and how much homework to expect from S1 to S6. if your teacher has told you to go to the school website for a specific piece of homework, you'll find it in the subject area in the menu bar above.
Information on Homework by Subject
Art & Design
S1 & S2 homework is given out every fortnight in the form of a sketchpad.
S3 & S4 homework consists of four practical homeworks per month, and occasionally written critical activity.
S5 & S6 weekly written homework and practical work when appropriate.
Business Studies
Standard Grade Administration - Pupils will normally be given one week to complete the homework issued for the Administrative Support element of the course. Pupils must attempt all questions. Answers should always be in sentences. The Department expects a high standard of answer.
Higher, Int2 and Int1 Admin – Homework is issued for the Administrative Services and Information Technology for Management theory elements each period for completion by the next period. Pupils are expected to attempt all questions and to answer in sentences. At Higher level it is important that pupils pay special attention to the command words when competing the exercises.
Computing
S1 homework is organised using pupils homework booklets. An exercise is given out regularly and the pupils write their responses in the school produced unit. Sometimes the nature of the work is very practical, but efforts are made to give written homework evenly throughout the session.
S3/S4 homework is done using school produced booklets. This approach covers the main theory aspects. Often folio work requires pieces to be written up, and every pupil has 6 items at least to complete therefore this adds considerably to the homework load, though it is more individualistic catering for the needs of the particular pupil. Towards Xmas S4 there is a heavy past paper homework schedule.
Senior homework is done using school produced booklets, covering theory. There is much reading and analysing homework, preparation for project work and where possible research homework. After the prelim there is a heavy past paper homework schedule.
Design & Technology
Homework for S1 & S2 will be issued on a regular basis, depending on the topic, and as projects near completion.
S1 will complete a homework book, with Transport being the topic, to be done at home.
S2 will do the same, but their topic will be Communication.
S3 to S6 homework becomes vital as attainment and evaluation by pupils and teachers acre crucial to enable success in the exams.
Drama
See drama under staff and subjects for detail
English
S1 & S2 – In S1 and S2 pupils have three main types of homework:
*Spelling. S1 classes will have a weekly homework spelling challenge. In S2 classes have spelling homework based on the class literature.
*Language booklets. Classes in S1/2 have homework booklets targeting areas of grammar/language skills. These booklets are used most weeks, but may not be in weeks where pupils have more demanding English homework.
*There will also be pieces of more extended written homework required of pupils. This will tend to be important pieces of written work which pupils have not managed to finish in class, but pupils may also be given more major writing tasks to do at home. Where this happens we try very hard to set reasonable timescales for completion.
S3 to S6 – As pupils move up the school the amount of extended homework increases.
In S3/4 English homework tends to focus on Folio production. Homework will vary but will include:
*Pre-reading of texts *Research in newspapers/magazines/internet *Preparation of Individual Talk *Completion of written class work *Redrafting of Folio work
In S5/6 pupils may be expected to do a lot of homework, especially if they are studying Higher English. The following are the most common types of homework in S5/6:
*Pre-reading of class literature *Reading/planning/drafting/redrafting of Personal Study *Research for Discursive Writing
*Independent research *Writing Critical Responses to literature
Food & Textile
S1 & S2 – Pupils will be issued with log sheets for parental signatures and Recipe books. Twice per term pupils are asked to complete a number of practical tasks including some simple cookery.
S3 & S4 – Pupils will be issued with homework tasks fortnightly, and regularly to review and prepare revision cards. Pupils will be asked to complete unfinished class work when required.
Hospitality S3,4,5,6 - Pupils are not required to produce written homework for this mainly practical course. Occasional research/revision or completion of class work will be required. Any practical practice at home will be of great help.
Higher Food Technology – Weekly homework of past paper questions revision for regular in class tests. Ongoing work/research and writing up of Assignment work.
Geography
S1 & S2 homework is issued during a topic when appropriate. It should be completed to the best of each pupil’s ability and handed in on time.
S3 to S6 homework is based on past paper questions, and will help pupils prepare for exams. It must be completed and handed in on time.
History & Modern Studies
S1 & S2 homework consists of a variety of written tasks issued on a regular basis.
S3 & S4 pupils are provided with homework programmes and jotters and are issued with homework on a regular basis by the classroom teacher.
S5 & S6 are provided with homework programmes and are issued with homework on a regular basis.
Languages
S1 & S2 - Exercises in Reading, Writing and Grammar will be issued to be completed in a separate homework jotter. It is also vital that pupils learn new vocabulary as they progress, and they should get into the habit of revising new words regularly from their jotters or textbooks.
S3/S4/S5/S6 S3 to S6 pupils must prepare thoroughly for all Speaking and Writing assessments as these make up a large percentage of their overall final Grade in S4. Regular independent study of all vocabulary and language points covered in class will make a huge difference to the overall final grade.
Maths
S1 & S2 – approximately 30 minutes of formal homework once per fortnight. Day to day homework should take no more than 1 hour per week although it is possible that this may vary.
S3 & S4 - approximately 30 minutes per day including a formal exercise once per fortnight.
S5 & S6 – time spent on homework should increase to approximately 45 minutes per day.
Music
S1/2 Pupils who are receiving instrumental tuition should be practising their instrument for at least 15 minutes 5 nights a week. Pupils should also be completing Theory Workbooks which are issued to S1 and S2 by the class teacher.
S3/4 Pupils who are undertaking Standard Grade music should be practising their solo performing instrument for a minimum of 20 minutes 5 nights a week. They should also be revising musical concepts which are issued every week after a listening lesson. Pupils should also be completing any additional homework set by the class teacher.
S5/6 Pupils who are undertaking Higher Music should be practising their instrument(s) for a minimum of 20 minutes 5 nights a week. They should also be revising musical concepts which are issued twice a week from the listening lessons. Pupils should also be completing any additional homework set by the class teacher.
Physical Education
S1 and S2 homework given online and students are encouraged to take part in extra curricular events
S3-S6 Weekly homework relating to both practical and theoretical elements of the course, also use a CD rom on evaluating at Standard Grade.
Click here to access each year's blog for homework and other activities.
Religious & Moral Education
S1 RME Homework Project
Your homework needs to follow the following plan
- It must have a front cover which shows what topic you have chosen
- It must have a page explaining why you chose this topic and whether you find it either amazing, puzzling or mystifying
- It must have at least one page that tells me about the topic which may include drawings or pictures
- It must have a page where you give your conclusion on the topic and where you explain what you have enjoyed most about the homework project
S2 – survey on Belief in God – approx 3 hours, range of tasks on suffering (newspaper clippings) approx 4 hours over the year.
S3 & S4 Int 1/2 Philosophy & Belief – approx 45mins per week.
S5 & S6 Higher Philosophy – approx 2 hours per week – advance reading/consolidation tasks.
Science
S1 Science – There are 4 formal items of homework per topic. These are designed to make sure that pupils are reviewing the work covered in the classroom and should be signed by parent/guardian. Further homework involves completions of worksheets, collection of information, etc.
S2 Biology, Chemistry, Physics – Each subject features regular written homework. This may involve interpreting or presenting scientific data, numeric calculations, demonstrating that information has been learned or carrying out research.
S3-S6 Biology, Chemistry, Physics – After each lesson pupils are expected to spend time reviewing the work covered that day. In addition there will be regular written homework, usually in the form of typical examination questions which test Knowledge and Understanding and Problem Solving.