Independent Learning Policy

SHIREBROOKACADEMY

INDEPENDENT LEARNING POLICY

LAST REVIEWED: / July 2017
REVIEWED BY: / Cheryl Booth
NEXT REVIEW DATE: / July 2018

Aims of the policy

Create an environment where it is recognised that the consolidation of class work is an important part of the learning process.
Enable students to understand that independent learning is a vital component in achieving academic success and developing a growth mindset.
To enlist the support of parents and carers becoming active partners in helping students to maximise their skills through extended learning opportunities.
To ensure that students receive a balanced amount of homework which both offers challenge and enriches their curriculum.

Purpose and principles of setting independent learning tasks

Promote self-confidence and independent learning skills
Allow practice and consolidation of work done in class
Allow preparation for future class work
Offer access to resources to further enhance learning
Allow assessment of pupils’ progress and mastery of work
Involve parents in the learning process

The role of students

To record homework in their journals.
To check SIMS learning gateway for specific details of the homework.
To manage their time effectively to meet deadlines.
Speak to the teacher in advance of the deadline should they have any difficulty in completing the tasks.
Complete the homework timetable in journals.
Complete homework to a high standard.

The role of Teachers

Issue homework regularly in accordance with the published timetable.
Record on the SIMS learning gateway when homework has or has not been completed.
Set reasonable deadlines which allow students the complete tasks to the best of their ability.
Mark the homework timeously to give students appropriate feedback on their progress.
Use the homework as an opportunity to assess pupil progress and understanding and adapt lesson planning accordingly to ensure students are adequately challenged and supported.
When setting extended homework tasks break the activities down for students weekly to support students in managing their workload.
Use praise on the SIMS learning gateway to reward homework that has been completed to a high standard.

The role of parents and carers

Reinforce the expectations of Shirebrook Academy in completing homework on time and to a high standard.
Check SIMS learning gateway to have an overview of homework that has been set and monitor if deadlines have been met.
Provide an opportunity and an environment where students are able to complete homework tasks.

Homework timetables

Guide timetables are set out below but there may be occasions where the day needs to change. Teachers will inform students of the day they can expect to receive homework so this can be recorded on the timetable in student journals during their first lesson.

Year 7 (West)

Monday / Tuesday / Wednesday / Thursday / Friday
MFL / PE
English / Technology
Maths / Science / GRIT

Year 7 (East)

Monday / Tuesday / Wednesday / Thursday / Friday
Technology / PE
English / Maths / MFL
Science / GRIT

In addition, students will receive homework from Computing, Art and Music. Homework in Maths, English and Science will be issued weekly, all other subjects will issue homework as a minimum on a bi-weekly basis. Music will issue one formal piece per half-term and two revision or rehearsal tasks. Where a day has not been specified the class teacher will inform students of the day they will set the homework and this will be recorded on student homework timetables.

Year 8 (West)

Monday / Tuesday / Wednesday / Thursday / Friday
PE / Maths / Science / English / DT
MFL

Year 8 (East)

Monday / Tuesday / Wednesday / Thursday / Friday
Maths
Technology / Science / English
PE / MFL

In addition, students will receive homework from Computing, Art, Music, Drama, History, Geography and RE. Homework in Maths, English and Science will be issued weekly, all other subjects will issue homework as a minimum on a bi-weekly basis. Music will issue one formal piece per half-term and two revision or rehearsal tasks. Where a day has not been specified the class teacher will inform students of the day they will set the homework and this will be recorded on student homework timetables.

Year 9 (West)

Monday / Tuesday / Wednesday / Thursday / Friday
Maths
MFL / Science / PE / Technology / English

Year 9 (East)

Monday / Tuesday / Wednesday / Thursday / Friday
Maths
PE / Science / Technology / MFL / English

Year 10

Monday / Tuesday / Wednesday / Thursday / Friday
Option G / Option E
Option F / Option H / English
Science / Maths

In Year 10 homework will be set as a minimum at least once per week as the timetable. It is highly likely that homework will be set more regularly than this in order to support students through their GCSE courses.

Year 11

Monday / Tuesday / Wednesday / Thursday / Friday
Option C
English / Option B
Option D / Maths / Option A / Science

In Year 11 homework will be set as a minimum at least once per week as the timetable. It is highly likely that homework will be set more regularly than this in order to support students through their GCSE courses.

Amount of homework

There will be no time specified for the duration of homework as there is an expectation that students will complete tasks to their best ability and the time for this will vary amongst students. Homework should be differentiated in order to ensure that all students are set tasks which are appropriate and are at the required level to extend their learning.

If students would like to complete additional tasks outside of school to extend and consolidate their learning every department publishes links to online learning activities and websites which will offer students further enrichment. These can be found on the curriculum pages of the school website.

Challenge Tasks

Students working at an elite standard will also be encouraged to undertake additional cross-curricular enquiry tasks throughout the year as an opportunity to deepen their thinking and develop independent enquiry skills. Students working at any standard will have the opportunity to carry out the tasks.

Homework concerns

Should students, parents or carers have any concerns regarding homework please see below for guidance of who to contact: