LEARNING BEYOND THE CLASSROOM
Learning at Bedford High School doesn’t stop when the bell goes at the end of the school day. With the challenging new changes to GCSEs ahead, never before has learning beyond the classroom been so important. Recent reliable educational research has determined that homework at secondary school improves the rate of learning by 15% and can advance children’s learning by one whole year.
Learning at Bedford High School doesn’t stop when the bell goes at the end of the school day. Never before has learning beyond the classroom been so important given the challenges presented by the GCSE exams. Recent reliable educational research has determined that homework at secondary school improves the rate of learning by 15% and can advance children’s learning by one whole year.
We coach our students to reflect regularly on their learning in lessons so that they build on their learning from the classroom.
Our students:
• Recap the major knowledge and skills acquired in their 5 daily lessons- “what did we learn?” (Reflection)
• Plan the follow-up learning from each lesson- “what do we need to revisit/revise, test?”
• Practise our learning before our next lesson so that we have mastered it- “practice makes perfect!” (HOMEWORK)
• How can you as parents/guardians help?
Supporting your child:
• Ensure that your child has somewhere quiet to work where there are no distractions.
• Try to ensure that they have the necessary equipment and resources.
• Pose questions about your child’s learning for e.g. Can you tell me what you learnt in lessons today? What was your best learning experience? What did you find difficult? What can you do to get better at this?
• Encourage your child to attend the homework clubs and catch-up sessions in school.
• Ensure that your child is doing some kind of independent reading. This should be done for at least 30 minutes per evening and will impact positively on their learning in all subjects.
Motivating your child:
• Encourage your child to take the time to complete homework to the best of their ability.
• Recognise, praise and celebrate the good work completed by your child.
• Recognise, praise and celebrate the productive learning habits that your child demonstrates.
• Encourage your child to have a thirst for and love of learning.
• Encourage your child to close the gaps in their learning.
• Encourage your child to access online learning that makes a difference. Try to ensure that your child uses the web to access more learning and less gaming. Avoid the over-use of social media.
Overseeing your child’s homework:
• Always ask your child what their teacher has assigned them to do for homework.
• Check Class Charts every day for details of homework. All teachers record homework via Class charts and therefore this offers the most reliable tool for information on your child’s homework. Please use link below or download the Class Charts app.
https://www.classcharts.com/parent/login
