Introduction

Extended learning (Homework) is an important part of the School’s curriculum, contributing to student progress and attainment.  It plays a key role in extending and consolidating the knowledge, understanding and skills that are developed in school and provides opportunities for students to embed, enrich and extend their learning.  Work that is set will consist of meaningful and worthwhile activities designed to extend the learning of the student outside the classroom.

Aims of extended learning

• Practise and consolidate the knowledge, understanding and skills developed in class;
• Make greater progress;
• Extend learning beyond the classroom;
• Embed key subject knowledge in their long term memory;
• Engage in wider reading and research in preparation for future learning;
• Have dedicated time to reflect upon learning, correct mistakes and act on feedback to make improvements;
• Develop and embed effective study skills (Retrieval, Interleaving and Spacing) improved independent working and time management and organisational skills;
• Be successful learners who achieve challenging goals and experience high levels of success;
• Be empowered to take responsibility for their own learning.

What support is available at Lealands High school to help my child with their extended learning?

• Many departments offer lunchtime and after school support sessions, for all Key Stages. 
• P6 sessions (Period 6) are offered in the School Learning Resource Centre from 3:10 to 4.00pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays.  P6 is very popular and attended by students from Year 7 to Year 11 with resources and support from staff. 
• Students can email their teachers if they have individual concerns or questions about their extended learning.

How can I support my child with extended learning tasks?

• Help your child by going through their extended learning tasks and checking he/she understands what has to be done;
• Reinforce and discuss the importance of completing extended learning in order to make progress and ensure that your child is sticking to the published schedule and completing their extended learning on the day that it is set;
• Support your child with any self-quizzing tasks by asking appropriate questions from their knowledge organisers;
• Provide a suitable environment in which work can be done;
• Encourage your child to attend after school support sessions e.g. P6, if they need support or a suitable learning environment;
• Monitor the completion of extending learning and contact your child’s tutor or class teacher if they are having difficulties completing the set work.

How and where should extended learning be recorded?

Extended learning will be set in line with the school schedule.  A schedule has also been produced for each year group to allow for a set routine to be established, these can be viewed and downloaded from the bottom of the page. 

What type and how much work is set?

Extended learning will always be meaningful, purposeful and achievable. Extended learning tasks will vary between subjects, but will predominantly be set to consolidate and embed knowledge from previous lessons.  At Key Stage 3, not all subjects will set extended Learning activities as it has been deemed more appropriate for students to attend extra-curricular activities within these department areas.  All Key Stage 4 examination subjects will set extended learning and students must complete the core extended learning tasks and any set by the option subjects.

Years 7 and 8 will be allocated up to 90 minutes of extended learning each day.

Year 9 will be allocated up to 120 minutes of extended learning each day.

Year 10 and 11 will be allocated up to 180 minutes of extended learning each day.

• Consolidation of learning by applying knowledge and using skills to answer set tasks
• Learning and revision for class tests and examinations
• Improving work and responding to teacher feedback.
• Learning the spelling and key subject terminology
• Research in preparation for future tasks
• Practise and develop skills
• To practise examination questions.
• Completion of controlled assessment and Non Examination Assessment tasks
• Comprehension questions related to key learning etc.