Home Learning
Home learning teaches students to work independently and develop self-discipline, as well as encouraging students to take initiative and responsibility for completing a task.
Home learning allows parents to have an active role in their child's education and helps them to evaluate their child's progress in close proximity.
There is a direct link between
home
learning and academic
achievement.
Homework is a critical part of delivering the curriculum and needs to be treated as such. It is not an optional extra (for either staff or students!). Used effectively it can aid students’ understanding of a subject, allow students to explore certain aspects of the subject in a bit more depth, and develop students’ research skills.’ (SecEd, 2019)
Home Learning tasks will fall into one of the five following categories:
Lesson Preparation Task
Practice Task
Revision Task
Project-based task
Reading for Pleasure
All Home Learning will set on Class Charts which all Parents / Carers are issued a login for when their child joins RFSS. to View their Home Learning please click here: ClassCharts
Subject Provision | Key Stage 3 | Key Stage 4 | Key Stage 5 (Independent learning) |
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Art and Design | One homework is set per project (6 lessons) the homework set will be linked to the project title. Work will be set on ClassCharts and will be handed in to the teacher in person. | On going independent tasks set that links to the completion of their sketchbook. Work will be set on ClassCharts and check in class for completion. Set work will link with YouTube channel support. | On going independent tasks set that links to the completion of their sketchbook. |
Biology | Reading and Comprehension task per topic
Keywords and definitions task per topic.
Termly project piece – students select from a biology; chemistry and physics projects provided each term and present the last week of the term. | All subjects
Exam questions every 2 weeks to be completed in the back of exercise books. | Seneca online questioning
Exam questions and exam question booklets
Isaac Physics (Biology questions)
Independent pre-reading
Synoptic essays
Required practical report writing and follow-up tasks |
Chemistry | Reading and Comprehension task per topic
Keywords and definitions task per topic.
Termly project piece – students select from a biology; chemistry and physics projects provided each term and present the last week of the term. | All subjects
Exam questions every 2 weeks to be completed in the back of exercise books. | Isaac Physics Online
Seneca Online
Exam Questions
Independent work
Required Practical planning and follow up |
Criminology | No KS3 classes | N/A - No GCSE classes this year | Unit 1 and 3 (Sept- Dec and Jun onwards Y12) Write ups and rainbow marking weekly. Unit 2 and 4 (Jan- May) Question sheets to be completed, self-assessed and then checked by teacher. Outlined on homework calendar shared with students. |
Drama | Tasks set termly to correspond with the scheme of learning being taught. Work set on ClassCharts and handed in on OneNote (TBC) on each student's specific page. | Independent learning of lines which would be ongoing during practical assessment preparation.
One 30-minute homework per fortnight – exam style questions | Fortnightly Revision/exam style questions
Independent learning of lines which would be ongoing during practical assessment preparation. |
English | A weekly Microsoft form quiz that recaps the skills currently being taught in the curriculum. | Individual teachers choose the topic pertinent to their groups' needs that recap and revise the literature texts currently being taught. This learning is recapped and checked through SET for LEARNING tasks | Independent reading the text before a lesson. |
Food & Nutrition | One 20-minute homework per fortnight linked to the learning during that fortnight. Combination of research tasks, video resources to watch and revision of key terms, tools and materials and developing organisational skills. | One 30-minute homework per fortnight - Independent NEA preparation tasks linked to whole class feedback on NEA which will then be used during the lesson to produce NEA work. Seneca revision tasks. | Combination of independent work on Unit 1-3, research tasks and exam preparation activities. |
Geography | Reading and Comprehension tasks, spellings/Keywords and definitions task per topic.
Independent research projects to deepen and widen the classroom curriculum. | Combination of SENECA, MS Forms quizzes, exam question practice. | Independent reading, presentations and Essay / exam practice supported with textbooks and revision materials to take home |
Health & Social Care | No KS3 classes | 1 30-minute piece of work a fortnight to link to coursework or exam component of the unit they are doing. This may also include them attending an after school ‘write up’ session with NEA units if needed. | L2 - Revision of the content they have been covering or research to link to upcoming content
Communication project to link with the exam units they have
Work experience within the SRP/ year 7 class – launched in October
L3 – Exam units – further reading around a topic, reading ahead of what is to come - Exam question practice as the term progresses (4, 6, 10 markers or 6 or 8 markers depending on unit)
Reading case studies to apply knowledge within lessons
Coursework units – research required for coursework elements |
History | Meanwhile Elsewhere independent learning – exploring key events and individuals from across the world corresponding to events being studied in the school curriculum | Combination of SENECA, MS FORMS QUIZZES, EXAM QUESTION PRACTICE | Independent reading, presentations and Essay / exam practice supported with textbooks and revision materials to take home |
Mathematics | A weekly task set on the MyMaths website based on skills currently being taught/recently been taught | A weekly task set on the Dr Frost Maths website, or a written based task on skills currently being taught/recently been taught | Exercises set from core textbooks and on Dr Frost Maths website between lessons, as well as work to be completed from independent study booklet. |
Modern Foreign Languages | Students will have to revise weekly the key words that will help them to develop the 4 skills.
They will be tested every 3 lessons on this task. | GCSE students will have to follow doing the vocabulary revision + the grammar. Teachers will be able to check if students have been doing the setting work through the assessments.
This should be complemented with GCSE papers in lessons. | N/A - No A level classes this year |
Music | Tasks set termly to correspond with the scheme of learning being taught. Work set on ClassCharts and handed in on OneNote on each student's specific page. | Weekly official practice set for their chosen instrument. However, for instrument practice to be of high-quality students should ideally practice daily, ideally 10 mins a day minimum, 20 mins a day ideally to establish quality tone, fluency and control. | N/A - No A level classes this year |
Physics | Reading and Comprehension task per topic
Keywords and definitions task per topic.
Termly project piece – students select from a biology; chemistry and physics projects provided each term and present the last week of the term. | All subjects
Exam questions every 2 weeks to be completed in the back of exercise books.
Additional
Physics – use of Isaac Physics t GCSE level | Isaac Physics online assignments
Independent workbook
Past paper exam questions
Required practical planning and reports |
Product Design | One 20-minute homework per fortnight linked to the learning during that fortnight. Combination of research tasks, video resources to watch and revision of key terms, tools and materials. | One 30-minute homework per fortnight - Independent NEA preparation tasks linked to whole class feedback on NEA which will then be used during the lesson to produce NEA work. Seneca revision tasks. | Combination of independent work on current projects and exam preparation activities. |
Psychology | No KS3 classes | A weekly practise/revision task, alternating between a short exam question on recent/revision content to be marked in a SET activity and a Seneca assignment on recent content | A weekly practise/revision task, alternating between an exam question on recent content (short questions to be marked in a SET activity, essay questions to be marked by teacher) and a Seneca assignment on recent content. In addition, an independent study booklet to be completed by the end of the topic (broken down into suggested weekly activities) |
RE | Independent research projects to deepen and widen the classroom curriculum – For example in year R.E - Research the background / significance of a symbol of faith, alongside opportunities to read articles / current affairs linked to R.E and worldviews | N/A - No GCSE classes this year | Independent reading, presentations and Essay / exam practice supported with textbooks and revision materials to take home |
Sociology | No KS3 classes | Two-week rotation
Week one - 4-mark questions set based on research methods or studies to recall previous learning (RM) and apply to context (recent learning). Week two - Create revision resource based on recent content. Self-assessment and whole class feedback. This is expected to take no more than 15 mins per week. | Independent Study booklet to be completed weekly- recommended one page per week so it is completed by the end of the topic. Teachers set 10, 20 or 30 mark questions every other week according to Sociology assessment calendar which they will give feedback using feedback sheets. |
Sport & PE | KS3 Core PE- Watch their 4-week sport on YouTube.
Look at key skills, tactics and rules. | GCSE PE – 30 minutes per week – 1 week exam questions
1 week revision
PEP tasks during coursework to support completion of PEP [Personal Exercise Programme]
Level 2 Sports Studies – revision tasks/exam questions when completing exam units.
Independent tasks linked to completion of coursework when completing coursework units
KS4 Core PE- Watch their 4-week sport on YouTube.
Look at key skills, tactics and rules. KS4 more of a focus on strategies/evaluating performance/compare themselves to the perfect model | Level 3 Sports Studies – revision tasks/exam questions when completing exam units.
Exam booklets to be completed independently during exam units in lead up to exam
Independent tasks linked to completion of coursework when completing coursework units |
Textiles | One 20-minute homework per fortnight linked to the learning during that fortnight. Combination of research tasks, video resources to watch and revision of key terms, tools and materials. | One 30-minute homework per fortnight - Independent NEA preparation tasks linked to whole class feedback on NEA which will then be used during the lesson to produce NEA work. Seneca revision tasks. | N/A - No A level classes this year |
What is the purpose of home learning at RFSS?
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Encourage students to develop the skills needed to learn independently
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Develop self-discipline in work habits including working to deadlines
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Consolidate, reinforce and extend the skills, knowledge and understanding developed in the classroom
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Open up areas of study or sources of information that are not accessible in the classroom
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Enable students to meet the demands of GCSE and other controlled assignments
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Prepare students for school and public examinations
Our approach to home learning is based on research from the Education Endowment Foundation, which states that homework is:
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Assisting students to develop skills and attitudes that they need for successful work place and lifelong learning
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Supporting the development of: good organisation, time management and the confidence to think for oneself
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Providing teachers with further evidence to ascertain how much of the work in class students have understood and can apply, so that they are better able to plan for progression
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KindnessWe regularly give ‘shout outs’ for staff who have gone above and beyond and demonstrated an exceptional display of one of our values We encourage and try to support flexible working requests and promote ‘family values’ as something that makes the workforce distinctive. We try to ensure staff have the opportunity to attend personal events or celebrations when requested and within agreed time frame.
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CollaborationWe have an active Staff Wellbeing committee who meet regularly to discuss staff wellbeing and workload. We provide all new staff with a ‘buddy’ to provide support and advice. We plan a variety of staff social events across the year. We provide staff with a free lunch on the day of their duty. We have regular staff breakfasts, provide food on all CPD days and occasional treats such as Pizza!
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CuriosityWe invest heavily in staff CPD and both promote and support opportunities to develop staff. We provide opportunities for all staff to network and visit other schools to improve their practice and share great ideas.
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RespectWe have a Staff Room, where staff can meet, work and even socialise Each faculty has its own staff work room We have regular appraisal conversations to discuss career progression
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ResilienceWe promote resilience through our reflective CPD pathways. We have an area in the staff room dedicated to wellbeing which is used to promote health and wellbeing. We share weekly health and wellbeing information.
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EndeavourPromote a work life balance by being considerate when sending emails and holding meetings. We will endeavor to celebrate our staff and their achievements on a regular basis, for example; a black tie celebration evening.
View our Home Learning Policy
View our values and strategies document for parents and carers.