INDEPENDENT STUDY
Independent Study is the term we use to describe any work completed by students outside of lesson time. In some schools this is called homework.
Why is it called Independent Study?
- It needs to be independent. Independent study needs to be completed independently to be effective.
- Teachers will set study, not new learning. Students will not be given work on new material, but instead set work to revise prior learning.
- Independent Study does not have to be done at home.
Why is Independent Study important?
- The core purpose of Independent Study at Ashton Park is to build long-term memory.
- Building long-term memory means consolidating prior learning, recapping key ideas, remembering core information, and learning facts, concepts and skills.
Why is building long term memory important for our students?
How will Independent Study be set?
- Independent Study will be set by teachers on Google Classroom.
- Students will be given ONE WEEK to complete each piece of Independent Study.
- No Independent Study will be set for Year 7 in the first 3 weeks of school.
How often will Independent Study be set? How much time should it take?
- Our intention is to build long-term memory so we will set Independent Study little and often.
- That might mean that each student gets set multiple short snappy pieces.
Below is a guide to provide additional details:
| How often will each subject set Independent Study? | How long should it take to complete the Independent Study in each subject? | ||
| Year 7 and 8 | English, Maths and Science | At least three pieces per term. | At least 2 hours per term for each subject. |
| Languages, History, Geography and DT |
At least two pieces per term. *DT is set per rotation |
At least 1 hour per term for each subject. | |
| Performing Arts, Visual Arts RE and Computing | At least one piece per term. | At least 30 minutes per term for each subject. | |
| Core PE and Personal Development | No Independent Study will be set. | ||
| Year 9 | English, Maths and Science | One piece per week. | At least 3 hours per term for each subject. |
| Languages, History, Geography and DT | At least two pieces per term. | At least 1 hour per term for each subject | |
| Performing Arts, Visual Arts, RE and Computing | At least one piece per term. | At least 30 minutes per term for each subject | |
| Core PE and Personal Development | No Independent Study will be set. | ||
| Year 10 and 11 | All subjects with a final examination or certification | One piece per week. | At least 30 minutes per week. |
| Core PE and Personal Development | No Independent Study will be set. | ||
| Year 12 and 13 | All subjects with a final examination or certification | Six hours per subject per fortnight. This will involve teacher-directed and self-directed work | |
What praise and sanctions will be awarded?
- Students will be praised for completion of Independent Study. Those who do this regularly will be given achievement points or have emails / phone calls home.
- Students will not be given a behaviour point for failing to complete Independent Study but a notification will go home to inform parents/guardians.
