At Brookfield, our Home Learning for Key Stage follows a structured programme. Subject areas will set one Extended Learning Activity (ELA) per term which students are given 4 weeks to complete.
Each ELA should take 3 to 4 hours to complete. The tasks for Year 8 are to take the same times but will have a greater level of challenge built into them. These activities will provide opportunities for students to develop skills to learn independently. They may have a choice as to the way that they present their work, making full use of ICT where appropriate. Subject areas will provide resources to support students. It will be very important for students to manage their time effectively so that large amounts of work are not left until the last minute. The schedule of Home Learning for each year group can be selected from the links on the website menu. All subject tasks and support materials will be sent out electronically via Insight the week before the Home Learning task is due to begin. The parent dashboard will automatically be populated with the relevant Home Learning information.
On the schedule, the letter ‘D’ shows the deadline week when it is to be handed in and the ‘R’ shows the week when it will usually be marked and returned to students. If a deadline is close to the end of a term, it will be returned at the beginning of the next one.
During the first week of Year 7, there will be no formal home learning tasks set but students will be led through the Home Learning system by their tutor. There will also be an ‘Introduction to Home Learning’ information evening for Year 7 parents during that week.
The week before school-based exams will also be left clear of ELAs, to allow students to focus on revision.
If students do not have access to a computer at home, there is the opportunity to use computers in the LRC or print out necessary information. By informing the LRC staff that they do not have a computer at home, they will have priority in using the computers in the LRC before or after school.
Due to the nature of Languages, Maths and Art and the way in which students learn in these subjects, home learning tasks need to be more regular to support the class work and ensure skills are embedded. As such, Language, Maths and Art Home Learning tasks of approximately 30 minutes will be set fortnightly by teachers. Students will also need to prepare for Food Technology during those modules by organising and bringing in the required ingredients. Home Learning tasks will be added to Insight by their class teacher.
English Home Learning for Year 7 and 8 will be set, via Insight, once per fortnight (tasks of approximately 30 minutes). Students will focus on using a range of techniques in order to learn subject terms, spellings, key facts and poems.
Students will also be expected to carry out at least 45 minutes of reading per week and keep a reading journal. Class teachers will advise on reading material to ensure that students are challenging themselves and becoming resilient readers.
Physical Education does not set any formal home learning tasks at Key Stage 3 and Performing Arts (Drama, Dance and Music) set home learning tasks on a carousel. These departments also run an extensive extra-curricular programme which students are encouraged to attend.