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Homework @ Hodge Hill College

There is a two pronged approach to homework for both KS3 and KS4 pupils.

All pupils are expected to completed daily independent tasks, with KS3 pupils given a weekly timetable based on selected subjects & KS4 pupils provided with a weekly checklist based on all of their subjects.

The second prong is that all pupils complete activities related to their upcoming assessments in every subject as found on ‘Foldr’. Pupils log in using their individual details, and they will be able to find revision materials and activities related to their current study.  In order to help students make the most of the resources, there are also ‘how to use’ guides available which provide useful techniques and advice.

How to access Foldr

Benefits of Independent Study;

• Importance for pupil’s future;
• Preparing them for future education where they will have to carry out independent research.
• Providing opportunities for practice, preparation, and extension work.
• Assisting in the development of a range of intellectual skills.
• Assist in the development of generic skills by providing opportunities for individualised work.
• Fostering initiative and independence.
• Developing skills in using libraries and other learning resources.
• Training pupils in planning and organising time.
• Developing good habits and self-discipline.

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Key Stage 3

These independent activities should be done in collaboration with the assessment preparation which provides students with tasks and advice that will enable them to achieve their very best in their assessments for each subject.

Daily Activities for Key Stage 3 Pupils

MathsWatch is an online learning tool which allows students to further embed learning from the classroom. It is also the system upon which Team Maths sets homework assignments and through which students can revise. Each student has a unique login and username, which are used to login and access their account. Their homework assignments are listed there, and they can complete these over a number of sittings. If they are struggling with a question, by scrolling down they can use the helpful videos, or alternatively can attend the MathsWatch club on Tuesday after school, or see their teacher.

Use of MathsWatch is an excellent supplement to student learning, in addition to helping students to highlight areas of weakness. Progress and usage is rewarded through certificates, assembly announcements and enrichment badges. 

There is a list of Recommended Reads for each year available on the school website and all of these books are also available in our library. Every book that is taken out by a student, returned on time and reviewed will result in 3 points being allocated to that form with regard to winning the KS3 challenge and corresponding reward event.

All student form groups are provided with a full library catalogue from which they are required to choose an age appropriate text. These texts are then delivered to students during form time. Following this student are required to read their chosen text during form time and at home in order to strengthen their literacy skills and reading ability- a skill vital to future exam success in all subject areas. Parents can keep track of texts being read by students via reading records which have been provided to all Key Stage 3 Pupils. Parents are strongly encouraged to monitor reading records on a weekly basis to ensure sufficient reading is being completed and to work in partnership with the school as we aim to drive literacy standards up at Hodge Hill College.

Consistent reading at the pupils reading age and above brings several benefits such as vocabulary expansion, memory improvement, stronger analytical thinking skills and better writing skills which will be valuable for progression within all subjects. Alongside the practical gains for success in school, reading is also a great tool for stress reduction and can provide mental stimulation keeping the brain strong and healthy.

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Key Stage 4

Pupils should be completing daily activities such as MathsWatch or reading as outlined in the revision checklist (see below) for Year 10 and 11 alongside their normal school day.

They should also be revising for their option and core subjects using revision notes made in class, the revision guides as provided by the school and any other relevant material. 

Key Stage 4 pupils should pay attention to the upcoming assessments as shown and be completing the provided tasks to enable them to achieve the very best in these assessments.

Key Stage 4 Form Time Debate Programme

For the 2019/20 academic year Hodge Hill College has introduced a Form Time Debate Programme which will form the basis of all group sessions outside of scheduled assemblies for all Key Stage 4 Pupils. The programme centres around a Debate resource provided to all form tutors and form groups around which students will debate a wide variety of SMSC (Social, Moral, Spiritual, Cultural) themes and ideas related to current affairs within our media and as part of broadsheet newspaper articles.

During the course of the academic year, students will be required to sharpen skills vital to GCSE success, including building a coherent argument and weighing up and selecting evidence in order to strengthen an argument. During a fortnightly debate cycle, students will read a high quality article, find, refine and utilise evidence and debate some of the most hotly contested issues of our day. This is then followed by an evaluation process within which students reflect upon and take stock of their findings during the course of the debate. Debate within form time is fast proving to be a great way to build relationships, team spirit and to introduce a competitive edge into form time in an area within which has flourished within recent years. The inspiration for our form time debate programme was borne out of our great successes in recent times as a subscribing school to the ‘Debate Mate’ organisation of which we have been a member since 2012. 

Key Stage 4 Weekly Checklist of Daily Activities

• MathsWatch/ SuperMathsWorld/ Khan Academy
• Science Revision Cards/ Kerboodle
• Option Subject*
• Independent Reading (Refer to 20 Must Read Books for your Year)
• Option Subject*

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Examples of KS4 How to use Guides

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Tips for Parents

• Set up a homework-friendly area.Make sure kids have a well-lit place to complete homework. Keep supplies such as paper and pens within reach.
• Can you see what your child is doing? It is independent study however to monitor distractions you should be able to regularly check that your child is completing the work.
• Schedule a regular study time; Pupils will work better at different times so ensure you know when this is as children respond positively to routine.
• Help them plan; if your child has a particularly heavy homework evening encourage your child to break up the work into manageable chunks and take time for a 15 minute break every hour if possible.
• If providing your child with a snack; ensure that it’s ‘brain food’ such as water and fruit which keeps the brain hydrated and working to its maximum. Sugary snacks may provide a temporary ‘high’ but in the long term will also disrupt concentration and lower the capabilities of key skills such as forming new memories (and therefore work).
• Keep distractions to a minimum; Completing independent study without interruptions such as the TV, loud music or mobile phones will ensure that the time doing the work is better spent.
• Make sure kids do their own work; Pupils sometimes need to make mistakes to learn and this should be encouraged to build up the vital soft skill of resilience.
• Motivate and monitor; Ask your child about what they’re doing. Give encouragement, check completed tasks and be available for questions and comments.
• Praise their work and efforts; Achievement is the biggest motivator.

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