PARENTS/CARERS
Independent Learning: Some Guiding Principles
Tasks set by staff to be completed independently (usually at home) should:
stimulate, engage and challenge
You, as parents and carers, can support the College and your sons and daughters by being aware of the following points;
• At Key Stage Three the DFES recommendations state that a child should spend between 45 minutes and 2 hours per night on homework
• At Key Stage Four the DFES recommendations state that a child should spend between 1½ and 2½ hours per night on homework
• At Key Stage Four the DFES recommendations state that a child should spend between 1½ and 2½ hours per night on homework
At High Tunstall we endeavour to set work which is appropriate to the student’s ability.
There are four types/categories of independent learning and all independent learning set should fit into one of these categories.
|
Type
|
Explanation
|
Examples
|
|
Assessment of knowledge and understanding
|
Tests students understanding |
Essay question/past
paper/comprehension task etc
|
| Enrichment | Enhances students’ understanding of a subject | Watch a DVD/produce a newspaper for display/read an article/visit a museum etc |
| Coursework | Student completes syllabus requirements | Project/essay/assignment/etc |
| Personal Development | Develops transferable skills not necessarily related to the subject | Complete research/design a power point or website/prepare and deliver a speech/act out a play etc |
Independent learning will be well planned by the teacher and students informed of the objectives, timescales and assessment and success criteria.
The amount of work set will vary. In principle each subject will set one piece of independent learning each week. It could be that a piece of work may be expected to take several weeks such as a project or piece of coursework – if this is the case, students need to write down each week what the work is.
The amount of work set will increase as the student gets older.
Not all tasks need to be, or will be, formally assessed by the teacher, but students will be informed how their work will be assessed. Types of assessment include;
• Self assessment:- The student marks their own work
• Peer assessment:- Students mark each others work
• Group/class assessment:- Students comment on and evaluate each others work as a group or class
• Teacher assessment:- The teacher provides oral, written or graded feedback
• Some work will not need to be assessed as the objectives may have been an enrichment or personal development activity that is a long term aim
• Peer assessment:- Students mark each others work
• Group/class assessment:- Students comment on and evaluate each others work as a group or class
• Teacher assessment:- The teacher provides oral, written or graded feedback
• Some work will not need to be assessed as the objectives may have been an enrichment or personal development activity that is a long term aim
All tasks should be recorded in the student’s Learning Planner, which should be monitored weekly by yourselves as well as staff within the College.
Independent learning tasks do not have to be completed at home. The College has a work club, Resource Centre, ICT facilities and staff who are prepared to help students outside of lessons.
If you do have any concerns regarding the amount of independent learning your child is receiving then please contact their Tutor or Year Leader.
