Homework at Walthamstow Academy
At Walthamstow Academy we believe that the purpose of homework is to “introduce, practise or extend subject knowledge”. This is to ensure our students are committing knowledge to their long-term memories, are prepared for their exams and are curious learners who enjoy studying beyond the curriculum.
We use Google Classroom to set, track and monitor homework at Walthamstow Academy instead of student planners. Students have their own individual log-ins to Google Classroom so that homework is easy to access and understand.
The amount of homework set each day by the Academy is not rigidly controlled but will approximately be the following:
- Year 7-8: 50 to 60 minutes per evening (e.g. 2 x 25-30 minute tasks)
- Year 9 10: 70 to 90 minutes per evening (e.g. 2 x 35-45 minute tasks)
- Year 11: 100 to 120 minutes per evening (e.g. 2 x 50-60 minute tasks)
- Year 12-13: 2 to 3 hours per school day (including Independent Study lessons)
On some days the total may be less than these amounts but total amounts will rarely exceed these levels.
The due date will always be at least 2 school days after the homework is set to allow students to manage their own time outside school and ask for help if needed.
A copy of our Homework Policy can be found by clicking here.
Google Classroom Guardian
Parents/ Carers can sign up for Google Classroom Guardian email summaries which allows them to keep track of the homework your child is being set.
These emails will give weekly or monthly updates on the following:
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Missing work
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Upcoming work—Work that is due today and tomorrow.
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Class activity—Announcements, assignments, and questions recently posted by teachers.
Please click on the image below for information on how to set up Google Classroom Guardian email summaries:

Seneca Learning
As a school we are now also using an online learning platform called Seneca to set a lot of our homework tasks.
As a parent/carer, you can create a Seneca account to monitor the work your child is completing on this platform.
Please click on the image below for information on how to set up your Seneca parent/carer account.

If you need any support with any of these platforms or have any queries about homework please contact Rachel McAuley who is the Assistant Principal in charge of homework. Rachel.Mcauley@walthamstow-academy.org