Home Learning

"Students who understand that intelligence isn’t fixed are more willing to tackle challenges, learn from failure and take criticism as useful feedback." 

Doctor Carol S Dweck, Psychologist

To support our students learning we set homework tasks. Homework is work that is set to be completed outside the timetabled curriculum. It contains an element of independent study in that it is not usually directly supervised by a teacher. We use a range of online platforms to set, track and monitor homework.

There is clear evidence that successful students make progress when they embrace homework, and see the clear purpose of the task being set. Through homework, students become flexible independent learners able to cope with the demands of a future working life.

‘The impact of homework on learning is consistently positive (leading to on average five months' additional progress). However, beneath this average there is a wide variation in potential impact, suggesting that how homework is set is likely to be very important.’ Endowment Education Fund, August 2017

The suggestion is that it is not hours of homework but the quality and the discipline of completing homework that supports student achievement.

Not all homework is done at home; in fact, for some students who find it hard to work at home, or for some tasks which may require resources (books, software, equipment) more readily available at school, it is necessary or desirable to carry out the task at school.

Homework enhances student learning, improves achievement and develops students’ study skills and as such is an integral part of the curriculum. It requires careful planning and integration into the scheme of work of each curriculum area and may form part of the evidence from which teachers make assessment decisions reporting on student progress.

In maths, we use Sparx Maths to complete homework. Tasks are inclusive of all abilities as every task is personalised for each pupil. There are three components to their maths homework: “Compulsory”, “XP boost” and “Target” tasks. The “Compulsory” tasks include new topics centred around what they are learning or will learn in school. “XP Boost” tasks are retrieval-based questions based on topics they previously got right. This ensures that new skills learnt are retained and used frequently. Pupils must complete their “Compulsory” and “XP Boost” tasks and achieve 100%.

“Target” tasks consist of questions that were answered incorrectly in the past. This gives students the opportunity to revisit and revise those tasks and close gaps. “Target” tasks are optional, and pupils are rewarded in class if completed. All questions are accompanied by a video that clearly explains how to complete the task successfully.

In History we use the Knowledge Organiser booklet to help students learn key terms and core knowledge for each of our units. Most units also have online assignments to complete on Seneca Learning. This platform reminds students of the most important learning and asks quiz questions to check their understanding. Usually Seneca assignments will take between 15 and 30 minutes to complete. Fortnightly knowledge organiser quizzes in lessons allow teachers to track students’ learning and reward those who make progress and score highly.

What platform? 

In Science we use Seneca for Home learning. Seneca is an online platform which can be thought of as an effective and engaging interactive learning tool. It is a revision guide that follows our curriculum and is useful tool for retrieval practice, interleaving and examination practice. 

Seneca combines revision guides, quizzes & videos with scientifically proven learning techniques and helps to increase the efficiency of learning for your child. It covers a wide range of different topics which will help your child to be a better-informed citizen who should make better scientifically informed decisions in the future. 

 Seneca is also completely adaptive, so your child's learning experience will be tailored to suit their individual needs. 

The courses are written by senior examiners at AQA and other exam boards and updated over time to make sure they perfectly match your child's exam board specifications and National Curriculum guidance. 

 Seneca Science homework is set every Tuesday and is due the following Tuesday at 6pm. 

How we reward. 

Teachers analyse students’ proficiency, engagement and performance every week in a lot of details and the top three students in each class are rewarded. All students selected as part of the top 3 in that term will be invited a pizza party at the end of the term. 

Benefit 

As a parent you can monitor your child's progress by connecting to your child's account. This will allow you to get real-time updates of their progress. Stats include: 

• Time spent learning 
• Average score 
• Sessions completed 
• Correct answers 

In Geography we use the Knowledge Organiser booklet to help students learn key terms and core knowledge for each of our units.  Most units also have online assignments to complete on Seneca Learning.  This platform reminds students of the most important learning and asks quiz questions to check their understanding.  The Seneca assignments will take between 15 and 30 minutes to complete.  Fortnightly knowledge organiser quizzes in lessons allow teachers to track students’ learning and reward those who make progress and score highly. 

KS3 Students who achieve 100% in their Seneca assignments regularly,  will be entered into a competition to attend a weekend residential trip to juniper Hall, Surrey, to participate in team building activities and learn about conservation.

In Music, students complete both practical and theory homework each week. Students have their own instrument that they must bring to lesson for their timetabled music lesson and take home on the same day to complete homework. Students are expected to practice between lessons, for a minimum of 20 mins, 3 times per week. Students have a theory booklet that is used to recap key terms that are needed for the understanding and embedding of knowledge. Students sit a practical and theory exam each half term.