Conclusion
Ofsted's Education Inspection Framework (2024) emphasises that homework must demonstrate clear links to curriculum intent and learning objectives. Effective homework shows appropriate challenge, enables pupils to consolidate learning, and provides teachers with formative assessment data. Schools that can evidence systematic alignment between homework tasks and intended learning outcomes consistently achieve 'Good' or 'Outstanding' judgements for Quality of Education.
Key Points
- 1Intent-Implementation-Impact: Homework must visibly connect to your curriculum's intent, be implemented consistently, and show measurable impact on pupil progress
- 2Learning objective alignment: Every homework task should explicitly state which LOs it addresses and how it builds on prior learning
- 3Appropriate challenge: Tasks must be pitched correctly—not too easy (busywork) nor too hard (demotivating)—with scaffolding for SEND pupils
- 4Formative use: Homework should inform next steps in teaching, not just be marked and filed
- 5Pupil understanding: Pupils should be able to articulate what they're learning and why the homework matters
- 6Evidence trail: Schools need clear documentation showing homework design rationale and progression over time
Evidence & Methodology
Ofsted's Education Inspection Framework (2024) states that inspectors will evaluate whether "the curriculum is coherently planned and sequenced" and whether "assessment is used to check pupils' understanding and inform teaching" (EIF, p.47). Homework is explicitly considered as part of this assessment evidence.
Research base:
- Education Endowment Foundation meta-analysis (2024): Homework has moderate impact (+5 months) when clearly linked to classwork and appropriately challenging
- Ofsted Research Review: Curriculum Research (2023): "The most effective schools ensure that out-of-class tasks directly reinforce the intended learning from lessons"
Common Ofsted findings:
- Schools rated 'Requires Improvement' often show homework that is generic, not differentiated, or lacks clear purpose
- 'Good' and 'Outstanding' schools demonstrate homework sequences that build knowledge cumulatively
What inspectors look for:
- Homework policy that references curriculum intent
- Schemes of work showing homework tasks mapped to LOs
- Pupil work samples showing progression
- Evidence of feedback that moves learning forward
- SEND provision: adapted tasks, reasonable adjustments
How to Implement
Audit current homework practice
- Review last term's homework tasks across all subjects
- Check: Does each task state explicit learning objectives?
- Identify gaps: Which LOs lack homework reinforcement?
- Gather evidence: Can pupils explain what they're learning from homework?
Map homework to curriculum intent
- For each unit in your scheme of work, identify 2-3 key LOs
- Design homework tasks that specifically target those LOs
- Ensure tasks show progression: retrieval → application → extension
- Document the rationale: "This task addresses LO X because..."
Differentiate systematically
- Create three tiers: core task (all pupils), scaffolded (SEND/lower prior attainment), extension (higher attainers)
- Use Learnly's AI to generate differentiated versions from a single source
- Ensure scaffolding maintains cognitive demand (don't just make it easier—make it accessible)
- Record adjustments on SEND pupils' provision maps
Implement formative feedback loop
- Mark homework with specific reference to LOs: "You've shown understanding of X, next work on Y"
- Use homework data to adjust next lesson: "Many pupils struggled with concept Z, so we'll revisit it"
- Track completion and quality over time—patterns inform intervention
- Share exemplar work with pupils to clarify success criteria
Prepare evidence for inspection
- Maintain a "homework evidence file" with:
- Homework policy linked to curriculum intent statement
- Schemes of work with homework tasks annotated
- Samples of pupil work showing progression
- Records of how homework informed teaching adjustments
- SEND provision: examples of adapted tasks
- Train staff to articulate homework rationale during book looks
Boundaries and considerations:
- Avoid homework overload: Ofsted doesn't specify quantity, focus on quality and purpose
- Be mindful of equity: not all pupils have home support or resources
- Flipped learning/pre-reading counts as homework if purposeful
- Ofsted won't judge you on homework volume, but on its coherence with curriculum
Sources & References
Ofsted: Education Inspection Framework 2024 - Official inspection criteria
Ofsted: School Inspection Handbook - Guidance for inspectors
Ofsted Research Review: Curriculum - Evidence base for curriculum quality
Education Endowment Foundation: Homework - Impact evidence (+5 months)
DfE: Curriculum and Assessment - National curriculum framework