Learning how to study independently is a vital part of a young person’s education.   Additional work is important.

It reinforces and builds on material taught.  It is set regularly.  Your son or daughter will be given their own additional work timetable which will vary from between 3 – 6 hours per week in Years 7, 8 and 9, 6 – 10 hours per week in Years 10 and 11 and up to 16 hours per week for Sixth Formers.  At examination times additional time will be spent on revising and practicing examination techniques.

For those who prefer to work in school the Library is open before school, during breaks, lunch and after school to help students complete their work and collect extra resources.

E-learning

E-learning simply means learning using a computer or other related technologies, either in or out of school.  This is becoming more important because not only does it create another exciting way to learn things but it also helps the student to be in control of what they learn and when they learn.

Our school is developing these new technologies very quickly.  Not only do we use computers in all subjects, but we are also one of the first Derbyshire schools to begin using Kaelidos – our Virtual Learning Environment.  Accessible from the school website, Kaleidos will enable students to access learning materials anywhere, anytime to support them in making progress.

To further support e-learning, we have also begun to provide Year 7 students (from 2008) with mini notebooks.  These fully internet-enabled computers can be used in lessons as well as taken home.  It is our vision that by 2012 every child within school will own such a device to help support their learning.

Guidance for student and parents about Independent Learning Challenges / Homework

Independent Learning Challenges and homework are important parts of a student’s education.  It helps them to learn to work on their own.

Recording and completing own work shows everyone that students, backed by parents /.carers are taking responsibility for their own learning.

Students will be expected to do additional work out of lessons in most subjects.  The amount will vary but typically should average between one and two hours per night with Year 11 students doing even more.

Presentation of work is always important.  Careless presentation will create a bad impression on the reader who may be distracted from what students have to say.  Many readers will make judgements about general ability and even attitude if the presentation of work appears to be careless.

Students should:

Not allow books to be decorated with stickers or graffiti.

Always put a heading on written work with the date.

Draft work then check for content, organisation and accuracy.  Rework as necessary, then write-up neatly or word process it.

Take care with layout making proper use of margins and indented paragraphs.  Write in black ball point and only use colour when this is necessary to aid presentation.

Proof-read all work for spelling, punctuation and grammar.  They should not hope for the best –  students should make sure work is correct otherwise marks and grades will suffer.

Additional Work Outside Lessons

Own work is both important and necessary.  Own work done regularly throughout college can be equivalent to an additional year of study.

There is a timetable in their planner that will help students to organise their work and time.  They should use the weekly diary to keep a check on what they have to do and by when it must be completed.

Students should try to do their own work at the same time each day in a quiet place where they are free from distraction.

They are likely to achieve more by working regularly for relatively short periods (say 1 hour at a time) than in a single long session when concentration will lapse.

Faculties will set Independent Learning Challenges to be done over a long period of time, not necessarily weekly, so parents / carers should check on the progress of such work.

Above all, students should plan ahead to make the best use of time and do not leave projects, coursework or homework until the last minute.