EXTENDED LEARNING

Homework is seen by the college as a means by which student learning in lessons can be enhanced, extended and enriched.

Its successful completion requires students to develop skills of self-organisation and self-motivation.

Subject teachers set different types of homework; these can be categorised as follows:

Tasks that practise and consolidate what they have learnt in lessons. For example, if a student has been taught in lessons about how to add fractions, they might be set a homework that requires them to practise this skill.
Pre learning tasks that require students to prepare for an upcoming lesson. For example, a student in English might be asked to read a chapter of a book prior to a lesson in which the themes of that chapter are explored.
Tasks that extend and deepen student understanding by asking them independently to explore the topics that they have covered in lessons. If, for example, a student. For example, a student writing an essay on the changing reputation of Oliver Cromwell might be directed to the Wikipedia page of this historical figure.
Tasks that require students to review and revise prior learning, often in preparation for an assessment. For example s student might be asked to revise key topic vocabulary in French, in preparation for a test the next day.
Tasks that require students to work independently on an extended project or piece of writing, which once again might be an assessment. For example students might be asked to complete an assessment which has been begun in class about the impact of economic development on the Amazon rainforest.

All homework is set on google classroom

Students are not given a homework timetable; they are asked to plan their time so that homework is distributed evenly over the school week. Deadlines are set so that this can occur. By taking responsibility for this aspect of their learning, students develop important skills of independent working.

Parents can support their children in completing homework tasks to a high standard by checking their child’s planner or google class page regularly, and by discussing their homework with them. It is also helpful if parents/carers provide a quiet working place and a routine each day to allow time for homework.

Other ways in which you can support your child with homework are:

Asking students to explain in their own words what the homework task is and how to tackle it.
Checking that the task in the student organiser has been clearly written down.
Checking that students are organised, with everything they need to complete the task.
Encouraging students by asking questions, by testing on a learning homework, by listening and by praising their child for taking pride in their work.
Using the student planner to communicate with student’s Form Teacher, or using e mail where they do not have a student planner.