Skip to main content
Hua Yi Secondary School

Homework Policy

Learn more about Hua Yi Secondary School’s approach to homework, including guidelines on weekly homework load and the roles of teachers, parents and students in supporting learning.

Last updated 18 August 2026

HYSS Homework Policy

Our homework policy articulates the purpose of homework and how homework load is regulated, monitored and coordinated. This policy is communicated to staff, parents and students.

Definition of Homework (in view of Future of Learning initiative)

Homework refers to any learning activity in curricular subjects that schools require students to complete outside of curriculum time, regardless of the mode of delivery (i.e. pen-and-paper, virtual/online). 

Although student-initiated tasks are generally not deemed as homework (see examples below), the school is mindful of students’ overall load and the impact on their well-being when designing homework and setting deadlines.

Examples of homework versus student-initiated tasks

Examples of homework:

Examples of tasks done/initiated by students:

  • Pen and paper assignments (e.g. practice questions, essays, etc.)

  • e-learning assignments (e.g. SLS lessons)

  • Flipped classroom learning (e.g. watching videos, reading texts before coming into lessons)

  • Take-home alternative assessments (e.g. project work tasks and preparation)

  • Self-Directed Learning (SDL) activities, e.g. self-revision for exams and tests

  • Student-initiated learning as part of HBL days

  • Student-initiated consultations with teachers

  • Student-initiated peer discussions/tasks that extend beyond tasks which teachers require

  • Work arising from CCAs/enrichment activities, e.g. Olympiads and Applied Learning Programme (ALP) /Learning for Life Programme (LLP)

Purpose of Homework

Homework, when used purposefully, can reinforce learning. It enables students to ascertain their progress in learning, and for teachers to consider students’ readiness and learning needs, and provide feedback to move learning forward with timely intervention and support when necessary.

Homework enables students to:

1 . apply knowledge and skills learnt from class

2 . receive feedback that moves learning forward

3 . reinforce learning

4 . cultivate a healthy disposition towards ownership of learning.

Guidelines for Homework load

Weekly and term-break homework guidelines by secondary level

Level

Revised Weekly Homework Guidelines (2026)

Term-break Homework Guidelines

Secondary 1 to 2

< 13 hours

For non-graduating cohorts:

●       March and September breaks: No homework

●       June and December breaks: Assign <50% of daily load during school week per subject

For graduating cohorts:

●       During the non-protected period of holidays, homework should not exceed 50% of typical daily load given during the school term.

Secondary 3 to 5

< 14 hours

Roles and Responsibilities of Stakeholders

Educators, parents and students play an important role in ensuring that homework serves its intended purpose.

Subject Teachers

  • support students in the completion of homework

  • provide timely feedback for all homework assigned with appropriate intervention to facilitate student’s learning (e.g. mark individual question responses, provide comments on work based on rubrics shared with students beforehand, leverage AI-enabled feedback for digital learning tasks like SLS, review questions as a class while students self-/peer-mark)

  • engage parents on homework matters and encourage parents to provide suitable home support and supervision for students’ learning

Form Teachers

  • include homework management as part of one-to-one Teacher-Student-Interaction (TSI) sessions and class feedback sessions

  • give feedback to respective subject teachers on homework given

  • engage parents on homework matters and encourage parents to provide suitable home support and supervision for students’ learning 

House Masters & Year Heads

  • monitor and support students who have difficulties with homework despite interventions by Subject Teachers and/or Form Teachers

  • discuss during House meetings and support teachers with strategies and interventions for students who have difficulties with homework completion

TLSC & IP Heads

  • review and refine homework policy based on teachers’ feedback

  • coordinate homework across departments, streamlining load during peak periods to balance academic workload and co-curricular demands (e.g. competitions like NSG and SYF)

  • coordinate across departments to set a balanced homework load during public and school holidays to ensure student well-being while maintaining academic rigour

  • engage parents on homework matters and provide information on students’ learning progress for recalcitrant cases

School Leaders

  • review homework guidelines and guide staff to implement homework policies

Parents

  • set regular study time each day for revision and completion of homework

  • provide supervision for homework when necessary

  • help child establish a study area, with good light, space and which is free from distractions

  • support and assist when child has difficulties in completing homework

  • partner with school to update to discuss, clarify any doubts and support child’s learning and development