23 March 2026
Dear Parents and Carers,
At Erdington Academy, we are committed to ensuring that every student achieves their full potential. A key part of this is the completion of regular, purposeful homework.
Research from the Education Endowment Foundation shows that effective homework can add up to five months of additional progress to a student’s learning. Importantly, homework is most successful when it is closely linked to what students are learning in lessons, has a clear purpose, and allows students to practise and consolidate their knowledge independently.
Why is homework important?
Homework helps students to:
Reinforce and consolidate learning from lessons
Practise key skills and apply knowledge
Develop independent study habits and resilience
Prepare effectively for assessments and exams
How we support homework at Erdington Academy
We ensure that homework:
Is clearly explained and linked to classwork
Is manageable and achievable for students working independently
Includes opportunities for feedback
Supports revision through low-stakes quizzes and self-testing
Platforms your child will use
To support home learning, students will regularly use the following platforms:
Satchel:one (homework platform):
https://www.satchelone.com/v7/login/erdingtonacademy
GCSEPod (revision and subject content):
https://www.gcsepod.com/
Sparx Maths (maths practice and homework):
https://sparxmaths.com/
Sparx Reader (Years 7 and 8 only):
https://sparxreader.com/
In addition, further information about our Home Learning Collaboration and curriculum support can be found here:
https://erdingtonacademy.bham.sch.uk/academy-life/curriculum/
How you can support your child
Parents and carers play a vital role in supporting homework. You can help by:
Encouraging a regular homework routine
Providing a quiet space to work where possible
Checking Satchel regularly for set tasks and deadlines
Praising effort and completion of homework
If your child experiences any difficulties completing homework, please encourage them to speak to their teacher. We also offer additional support in school where needed.
Working together
We believe that homework should be a positive and valuable part of learning. By working together, we can help students build strong habits that will support their success both in school and beyond.
Thank you for your continued support.
Yours sincerely
Mr D Cheshire
Associate Assistant Principal – Quality of Education
