Chorlton High School recognises that Home Learning is a key factor in supporting the 5-year learning journey for our students. Excellent learning habits such as organisation, prioritisation and practice enable students to be independent learners equipped for success in all they do.
Home learning is work that is set to be done outside the timetabled curriculum. It contains an element of independent study in that it is not usually directly supervised by a teacher. It is important in raising student achievement; it enhances student learning, improves achievement and develops students' study skills and as such is an integral part of the curriculum. It requires careful planning and integration into the scheme of work of each curriculum area.
Not all home learning is completed at home; in fact, for some students who find it hard to work at home, or for some tasks which may require resources (books, software, equipment) that are more readily available at school, it is necessary or desirable to carry out the task at school.
At Chorlton High School there are three key parts to ‘home learning:
Home Learning: Home learning is homework that is set by a class teacher and requires submission. Chorlton High School will set all Home Learning tasks through an online platform which is available to all students and parents. From September 2018 the breakdown of provision is:
- Years 7, 8 and 9: Microsoft Teams is used in all subjects, as well as work assigned for Hegarty maths and Seneca.
- Years 10 and 11: Microsoft Teams is used in all subjects with additional home learning set through GCSE-Pod, Seneca and Hegarty maths.
Students should use assignments in Microsoft Teams to see what home learning has been set by their class teachers.
Home Study: Home Study is preparation for assessments and tests, reflection and gap filling after Checkpoint assessments or Mocks (Year 11). In the build up to our assessments, non-examined assessments (NEAs) or any examinations, home learning becomes home study which is independent enquiry. This takes place during the second half term of each term.
Home reading: We also encourage our students to devote time to home reading as this will give students a wider knowledge base and understanding of the world. We expect all of our students to read at least three times a week at home, however we would like to encourage them to read daily.
Home Learning Structure
Year 7 and 8:
- One hour of English/Maths/Science and Reading per week
- One hour of languages (French/Spanish) per week
- Up to one hour per fortnight of each Humanity subject
- Up to one hour per fortnight of Computing or Technology
- Termly Creative projects in Art and Music
Year 9:
- One hour of English/Maths/Science and Reading per week
- One hour of French or Spanish per week
- Up to one hour per fortnight of each Humanity subject
- Up to one hour per fortnight of Computing
- Up to one hour per fortnight of Technology
- Termly Creative project in the chosen Art Elective
Year 10 and 11:
- One and a half hours of English/Maths/Science per week
- One and half hours of a Language per week
- Up to 2 hours per fortnight of a Humanity
- Up to 2 hours per fortnight of an Option
Seneca:
SENECA is one of the fastest growing home learning/revision platforms in the UK. It has over 1000 KS3 and GCSE courses based on exam board specifications.
The content is condensed to what students need to know for exams. Teachers will often create classes and set home learning and home study tasks for students including work for any revision topic on the study platform creating the perfect lesson plan.
Students can search for topics they need to study or link to a course where they can follow a specific exam specification. They will see information presented alongside clips, meme’s and gifs to make them more engaging. Students can then answer questions to check/assess their learning and understand.
Students should speak to their teachers about class codes.
GCSEPOD
GCSEPOD is an online resource that provides high quality, focused learning in a unique 'Pod' format across 21 popular GCSE subjects, and filtered by exam boards. The podcasts can be viewed on a computer or tablet at www.gcsepod.com and they can also be downloaded and saved onto a phone. This is an excellent resource for supporting student revision and boosting classroom attainment.
GCSE Pod parent accounts are also available. These are available on request and can allow parents to support students through revision activities. GCSE Pod is also available to students in Years 7-9 should they want to activate their accounts.
Home Study
Microsoft Teams - User Guide and further information