Sandhurst School – Performing Arts Homework Policy

KS3 Homework: Include a summary of the type of tasks that students will be expected to complete:

In light of our reasonably limited contact time with students at KS3 and the practical nature of our work, homework will only be used occasionally to support the content of the lesson.
When homework is set it may include individual tasks like learning lines for a performance or finding out some key facts, but may also involve a more practical task like arranging a rehearsal in a group for a final performance.
There is no generic homework timetable or expectation for key stage 3 and it is down to a teacher’s discretion as to when to set a homework task.
When used, homework should have a direct impact on the lesson content, and teachers will always make the expectations of the homework clear to students.

KS3 Homework: Specify how frequently homework will be set:

KS4 Homework: Include a summary of the type of tasks that students will be expected to complete:

It is an expectation that students studying both Music and Drama spend a significant amount of time practising their performance skills in their own time.
For Drama, this would include time spent learning lines individually and attending group rehearsals for the various performance projects undertaken. For Music this would also include private practice of performance skills on the nominated instrument, and rehearsals for ensemble performances.
There is also an expectation that students will spend time at home preparing for the written aspects of both courses. Tasks might include completing past papers, research tasks and specific exam focussed revision. Drama students will need to spend significant amounts of their own time working on their Devising Logs and Music students will need to ensure that their Composing Log book is up to date.
All homework set will be directly related to the exam board syllabus.

KS4 Homework: Specify how frequently homework will be set:

Initially during Year 10, we will set up to an hour of homework a week, as appropriate. This will increase during more ‘crucial’ times. For example, in the lead up to a performance, where students will be required to spend more time rehearsing prior to a performance exam or in preparation for written/listening examinations.

KS5 Homework: Include a summary of the type of tasks that students will be expected to complete:

Homework for A Level study will vary greatly depending on the units being covered.
For more academic written style units, students can expect to spend approximately an hour studying in their own time for every hour they spend in a lesson. Students will also be preparing for performances and it is an expectation that students will attend arranged rehearsals either individually or in their respective performance groups in their own time.

KS5 Homework: Specify how frequently homework will be set:

Students will be expected to spend approximately an hour working in their own time for every hour they spend in lessons. This will equate to approximately 8 hours per week. However, students opting for performance pathways may find this increases during preparation for performance exams. This will be offset however, against the lack of written tasks during these periods.