How can we set homework that genuinely supports learning without creating unnecessary marking? This practical guide helps teachers and subject leaders plan purposeful homework, check students’ independent understanding and make better use of their time. What’s included? A repeatable homework-to-learning cycle. Practical strategies for choosing homework tasks and appropriate follow-up activities. Guidance on self-marking, using AI as a learning resource and checking independent understanding. Four classroom case studies covering Year 7 Maths, Year 11 Maths, KS3 Geography and KS5 Computer Science. A decision-making table to help teachers choose appropriate ways to check learning. Practical guidance on responding to misconceptions and maintaining accountability. A simple evaluation process to review learning, accessibility and teacher workload. A ready-to-use homework planning template and student self-check. Who is it for? Classroom teachers, Heads of Department and subject leaders across primary and secondary education who want to make homework more purposeful and feedback more manageable. The examples are drawn from classroom practice and are intended to be adapted to different subjects, age groups and school contexts.

Want to make homework more purposeful without creating hours of additional marking? This free practical sample from Raising Standards, Reducing Workload introduces a classroom-informed approach to setting homework that supports learning while keeping teacher workload manageable. Inside, you’ll find: How to identify a clear learning purpose before setting homework. A practical homework-to-learning cycle. How to match homework tasks to different learning objectives. Ways to check understanding without routinely marking every piece of work. A practical checklist to help you plan more effective homework. The resource is suitable for teachers and subject leaders across KS3, KS4 and KS5, and can be adapted for different subjects. This is a free introduction to the full Practical Guide to Homework, which includes detailed classroom examples from Maths, Geography and Computer Science, guidance on responding to student needs, an evaluation framework and a ready-to-use planning template. Part of the Raising Standards, Reducing Workload resource collection. Practical ideas. Purposeful learning. Sustainable workload.