Home Learning

Home learning is an integral part of the learning process for students. This allows students to practice what they have learnt in school as well as key knowledge for subjects. In the younger years, there is an emphasis on reading and phonics and as students get older accessing learning online through specific APPs to reinforce learning. As students move into the secondary school, Home Learning is used to reinforce content they have covered in the school day.  It allows them time to develop their skills, explore subjects in more depth and become independent learners.

Foundation Stage

In the foundation stage we place a strong emphasis on reading and encourage parents to read with their child every day. Our goal is to foster a love of books and reading by sharing beloved stories and practicing reading skills through developing phonics. Additionally, students can explore a range of optional activities on our Padlet, designed to support and enhance their classroom learning.

Primary

In Year 1 students are sent work home through phoenix classroom to consolidate their learning in school. Students will focus especially on Read Write Inc phonics and reading at home as these are key skills needed to access the rest of the curriculum in Year 1 and years to come. 

From Years 2 to 6 students have access to Century and Times Table Rock Stars. Century is an online application that intelligently personalises learning for each student. Students are set ‘nuggets’ of learning by the teacher and the questions are adapted automatically to ensure students understand the content being shared. This is used to consolidate learning for students and also to assess their prior knowledge at the start of a topic or unit of work. Times Table Rock Stars provides students with interactive online games to practice their times tables and measures their speed and accuracy. Students are able to play games against classmates and other classes to provide motivation and encouragement.

In addition to the online platforms, additional work is set by class teachers and shared on Phoenix Classroom. This work is optional consolidation for students.

Students from Year 3 to 6 also have Accelerated Reader which supports student’s reading through sharing the correct books for the student’s reading ability as well as providing quizzes to check their comprehension skills and level of understanding of the book.

Secondary

Home learning plays a vital role in your child’s academic success. We encourage students to carve out dedicated time for this crucial part of their education, ideally in a quiet space where they can focus without distractions or too much assistance from parents or siblings. This approach not only supports their academic growth but also empowers them to develop independence and self-reliance, essential skills for their future success.

For students in Years 7 to 9, we recommend 20-30 minutes of study per subject, per week, focusing on skill application and retrieval practice to ensure they are well-prepared for assessments. As students move into Years 10 and 11, the demands of the GCSE curriculum increase, requiring a 30 - 45minute commitment per subject, per week to develop in-depth understanding, critical thinking, and mastery of skills. For those in Years 12 and 13, one hour per subject block is essential to prepare for the challenges of higher education.

Beyond academic achievement, home learning fosters independence, responsibility, and a sense of accomplishment. It is a crucial investment in your child’s future, paving the way for success both in and out of the classroom. Home learning is designed to reinforce and build upon the knowledge gained in lessons, and students are expected to submit their work to teachers by the set deadlines. This work may take various forms, including completing classwork, conducting research, revising, generating new ideas, reading, or completing assignments on online platforms such as Century and Accelerated Reader.

The method of submission may vary by department, but all expectations are clearly communicated to students and will be outlined on the GEMS Phoenix Classroom portal to ensure transparency for both students and parents.