Independent Study
Studying effectively at home and at school
Independent Study for Year 7, 8 and 9
Regular study tasks are set for all students to support the work completed in lessons and to promote independent learning. Independent Study Tasks (ISTs) are set weekly in English, languages, maths and science and fortnightly in other subjects. There may also be preparation to do in advance of specific DT lessons including preparation of ingredients. Students are expected to actively revise prior to tests and assessments. In addition, students should be spending at least 30 minutes per week on reading.
Dates and deadlines
It is up to the individual teacher of each class to decide what day of the week to set independent study. This flexibility enables independent study to be meaningful and clearly linked to learning going on in the classroom.
Subjects will follow the schedule below in year 7, 8 and 9 to ensure that each student’s working weeks are as balanced as possible.
Week 1 - English, maths, science, art, design technology, French, drama, history
Week 2 - English, maths, science, geography, religious studies, Spanish, music, French
The deadline for completion of independent study will be approximately 1 week after it has been set and should never be expected for the next day.
Independent Study for Year 10 and 11
In every two-week cycle of the timetable, a Year 10/11 Maidenhill student should receive 2 Independent Study Tasks per fortnight for each subject (1 for religious studies).
In addition, there may be other short preparation tasks in advance of specific practical subjects. Students will also be required to complete revision in preparation for tests and assessments. Longer tasks may be set over 2 or more sessions for larger pieces of work.
Regular, ACTIVE revision of all work covered is expected.
It is up to the individual teacher of each class to decide what day of the week to set independent study. This flexibility enables independent study to be meaningful and clearly linked to learning going in the classroom.
Overall, students in Key Stage 4 should spend a minimum of 1 ½ hours engaged in learning activities away from the classroom, although this figure is likely to increase significantly during exam or assessment periods.
All independent study tasks should be noted in the students’ planner and parents are asked to sign the planner every week. Each task will also appear on 'Satchel: One' (previously 'Show my Homework'), which can be easily viewed by parents and students through the school website.
Students are able to use school and its facilities after school to complete their independent study tasks and are encouraged to do so. The Independent Study Zone is open to all students and takes place in CS2 Monday-Wednesday from 3-4pm. Students with additional needs are also invited to attend Study Support where support is provided by Learning Support Assistants.
For RM Unify Launch Pad
CLICK HERE
Helpsheets on use of and access to GCSEPod, GCSEPod iOS App and Seneca can be downloaded at the bottom of the page.
For access to GCSEPod
CLICK HERE
For access to Seneca
CLICK HERE
A guide to login to satchel:one is available for download at the bottom of the page
To access satchel:one from an XBox
CLICK HERE
For help to submit work online to sachel:one
CLICK HERE
For access to Hegartymaths
CLICK HERE
A Hegarty Maths parent presentation as well as a student starter guide are available to download at the bottom of the page
For musicfirst Application Cloud
CLICK HERE
More information for parents is available in the guide below.