Overview
Teachers can set homework using the Assessments tab within their class or subject page. Homework can be created using a school template or built from scratch, depending on the task requirements.
We recommend that schools use homework templates to standardise homework across the school. This helps ensure consistency in submission processes, grading practices, and parent/student visibility and access. For set up of templates, please see our Creating Homework Templates (Admin) - UK article.
Homework can require:
Online submission (file upload), or
Self Assessment (students confirm completion or indicate progress)
Once created, homework can be monitored through the Class Page or Pulse.
Permissions
To set homework in Compass, users require the LearningTasksAdmin permission.
If you prefer not to assign the LearningTasksAdmin permission to teachers, you can use an alternative pathway via School Resources. Please contact our team for more information about this option.
Setting Homework with Online Submission
Homework can be set for an individual class or an entire subject. Navigate to the relevant class or subject page using the global search bar:
Navigate to the Assessments tab and click Add Assessment from Template:
Choose the relevant template for the type of homework you are setting and click Create Assessment.
If no templates are available, contact a staff member with the appropriate permissions in your school.
Add Homework Details
Update the task information as required:
Edit the Name
Replace the default Description with clear instructions outlining what students need to complete
Add images, links or upload supporting files where required
Set a Due Date at the top of the page if you wish to enforce a deadline
Once complete, click Save.
Review the Components
On the right hand side, under Component Summary, you will see any components that were added at the template level.
Red Submission Components allow students to upload work (e.g. attach a file or submit a link depending on the component selected).
Blue Grading Components allow for assessment. These may be configured for:
Teacher assessment (e.g. teacher-entered grade or comment), or
Student Self Assessment (where students provide a result, reflection or confirm progress).
If you need to add an additional component, refer to the section below on Adding or Editing Components.
Students Tab
Navigate to the Students tab to review which students are included in the homework task. All enrolled students in the class will be automatically included.
To exclude a student, click the green tick next to their name to change it to a red cross.
Important: Click Save to publish the homework and make it visible to students (subject to your Security settings).
Setting Homework without Online Submission
Use this method when students are not required to upload a file. Instead, they will confirm completion or indicate their progress using a Self Assessment component.
This type of homework is suitable for tasks such as:
Reading assignments
Research tasks
Textbook exercises
Homework can be set for an individual class or an entire subject. Navigate to the relevant class or subject page using the global search bar:
Navigate to the Assessments tab and click Add Assessment from Template:
Choose the relevant template for the type of homework you are setting and click Create Assessment.
If no templates are available, contact a staff member with the appropriate permissions in your school.
Add Homework Details
Update the task information as required:
Edit the Name
Replace the default Description with clear instructions outlining what students need to complete
Add images, links or upload supporting files where required
Set a Due Date at the top of the page if you wish to enforce a deadline
Once complete, click Save.
Components tab
On the right hand side under Component Summary, you will see any components that were added at the template level.
Student Self Assessment Components will be blue grading components and allow students to provide a result, reflection or confirm progress.
If you need to add an additional component, refer to the section below on Adding or Editing Components.
Students tab
Navigate to the Students tab to review which students are included in the homework task. All enrolled students in the class will be automatically included.
To exclude a student, click the green tick next to their name to change it to a red cross.
Click Save.
Open the Self-Assessment to Students
The final step to allow students to mark their progress through a self assessment component, is to open the self-assessment to students.
Click on the name of the Assessment from the Assessment tab of the Class or Subject that the Assessment is located in:
From the Detailed Results tab of the Assessment, click on the Actions drop-down menu. Select 'Set Self Assessment for All' to 'Open'.
Adding or Editing Components
Adding or editing a component, depends on what time of homework you are setting:
Red Submission Components allow students to upload work (e.g. attach a file or submit a link depending on the component selected).
Blue Grading Components allow for assessment. These may be configured for:
Teacher assessment (e.g. teacher-entered grade or comment), or
Student Self Assessment (where students provide a result, reflection or confirm progress).
Submission Components
There are two available submission components which allow students to submit work through the Compass portal:
Submission Component | Description | Student View |
File Upload | Allows students to attach a file from the device | 
|
Universal | Allows students to attach a file, pick from Google Drive / One Drive or Submit a link. |  |
Grading Components
There are many grading components to choose from which allow you, as a teacher, to grade the work completed by the students. Examples include a percentage, number, comment or grade.
Self Assessment Components
Any of the blue grading components can be used as self assessment components, where the student is required to enter or choose a grading option themselves. To convert a grading component into a self assessment component, use the pencil icon to edit the component, and tick 'Self Assessment Component'
Reviewing Homework Submissions
To see which students have completed a piece of homework, navigate to your class page.
On the Assessments tab, click the name of the assessment in the Dashboard view. From this screen, you will see an overview of all homework set for the class, including the number of students who have submitted.
The screen will default to the Detailed Results tab.
On the left-hand side, you will see a list of students:
A green tick indicates the student has completed or submitted the homework.
The file icon indicates an online submission has been uploaded.
Click on a student’s name to:
View their submission
Update the submission status (e.g. Not Received or Received)
Grant a homework extension (by adjusting the due date)
Add grading (comment, grade, etc.)
Respond within the Conversation panel
If Conversation is enabled, students can send a message within the homework task. The teacher who set the homework will receive an email notification when a student sends a message.
To perform bulk actions for the homework task, use the Actions drop-down menu.
From here, you can:
Mark all submissions as Received
Set the Due Date for All students
Email Students or Parents
Download All Submissions
If you have used Self Assessment components, you may wish to use the Grid Results tab to view student responses in a single overview. This allows you to quickly compare responses across the class and identify students who require follow-up.
