From Thursday 3 September 2020, and for the first full fortnight of school to help us ease everyone back into our school, home learning took the form of the following activities:

• reviewing classwork;
• creating and using revision resources;
• completing short tests or quizzes;
• researching topics in preparation for learning.

From Monday 21 September, we will be increasing the level of challenge and this will be reflected in our home learning tasks and extended activities. In addition to the activities above, pupils will be set tasks which will deepen their knowledge and understanding and strengthen skills specific to the needs of the subjects being studied.

Home learning can take the form of one longer or a series of shorter tasks and can include:

• processing learning information;
• researching, using books or the Internet;
• reading;
• written tasks including projects, essays, exercises, questions and past exam papers;
• using software packages and the school’s cloud-based launch pad;
• several shorter tasks which build into a longer coursework project;
• preparation for practical work, oral presentations and forthcoming lessons;
• completing tasks begun in class;
• practice and consolidation of concepts/techniques.

From Monday 21 September, we will be re-introducing our regular suite of homework activities to support pupils' home learning. In addition to the activities above, pupils will be set tasks which relate to knowledge, understanding and skills specific to the needs of the subjects being studied, these may include:

• completing tasks begun in class;
• written tasks including essays, exercises, questions and past exam papers, projects;
• preparation for practical work, oral presentations and forthcoming lessons;
• several shorter tasks which build in to longer coursework projects;
• using software packages and apps;
• reading.

We know that homework plays a fundamental role in pupils being successful in their learning. Completing all home learning tasks to the best of their ability helps our pupils achieve their potential, encourages independence and ensures they can be the best they can be every day. To that end:

• pupils in Key Stage 3 should expect homework activities to last for up to one hour per subject per fortnight;
• pupils in Key Stage 4 should expect homework activities to last for up to two hours per subject per fortnight;
• deadlines set by teachers will be reasonable;
• all homework will be set through our software package called Show My Homework.

Pupils are encouraged to ask for help before deadlines: use of email/Show My Homework can help facilitate this. They may be given a detention if they fail to complete tasks by deadlines given or if they hand in poor quality work. However, reasonable excuses will be listened to and accepted. In most cases pupils will be given until the following day to hand it in, with a detention given if this extended deadline is not met.

Show My Homework

All our Year 7s should have had a lesson showing them how to log on to Show My Homework for the first time, using their individual PIN and school email address. You can read more about logging on our Show My Homework information page.

If your Year 7 child has been having issues logging on to Show My Homework, during week commencing Monday 21 September 2020 they can come along to the PLC at the end of their school day (3.05pm) and Mrs Hannis and Mrs Lang or Mr Clutterbuck will be available to help them log in.