Independent Study
Key Stage 3
Aims
Independent Study follows a central system for years 7, 8 & 9. The aim of Independent Study (IS) for Key Stage 3 is to:
Create independent learning habits and develop time management.
Consolidate and expand subject knowledge and skills.
Explore and practise revision techniques.
Structure
Students are provided with an Independent Study booklet and exercise book, ready to complete IS and share with their teacher. Booklets and textbooks are given to students, but they can collect additional resources from the library or reception if they need a replacement. The booklets are also available on this page to work from online at any time.
For all subjects, except Maths and Careers, knowledge organisers and resources within the IS booklets are used for IS tasks. There will be three pieces of IS due each week, which will be checked by the teacher of the subject due. The schedule for IS can be found in the front of the IS booklet to enable students to plan ahead and manage their time. IS will also be explained by teachers and set weekly in Bromcom to clarify tasks and expectations.
Expectations
- Check the IS schedule for the coming week to see which IS needs to be completed.
- Check the expectations for each subject in the task outline in the booklet and on Bromcom.
- Work is completed in the IS textbook with the subject and deadline date underlined at the top of the page, so it is clear when the work will be checked.
IS will be checked by the teacher of the subject due when they have that lesson that week. However, students should always aim to complete it by the Monday due date so that all 3 pieces of IS are completed ahead of time.
Remember, if an IS deadline is missed, it will result in compulsory support session at 3pm on the following Wednesday. The focus of this session is to clarify expectations, address any barriers and begin the work required for the following week.
Support
Class teachers will clarify expectations before IS is due and reward good IS with achievement points.
There is an IS club that runs every day after school. Students are welcome to attend IS Club at 3pm in A3 (Art Barn) if they would like support, access to computers or just a space to focus and work. Attendance does not need to be regular or booked ahead of time and will result in an achievement point for focused work.
Booklets can be found below, with the weekly schedule found at the back of each booklet.
Key Stage 4
Years 10 and 11 independent study is set by your child’s class teacher, but typically the same task is set for all students in that year for that subject.
English, Maths and Science I.S. are checked every week and students that have not completed their I.S. must attend catch-up at lunch time. Additional lunch time catch-up sessions are for students that have not completed their option subjects’ I.S.
KS4 I.S. tasks are communicated using the SIMS Parent and SIMs Student apps.
Who to contact for support:
For technical support for the SIMS application for parents/carers, please email [email protected]
For technical support for the SIMS application for students, please email [email protected]
For technical support for SPARX Maths, please email [email protected] with the subject “SPARX Maths”
For technical support for Dr Frost, please email [email protected] with the subject “Dr Frost”
For technical support for Tassomai Science, please email [email protected] with the subject “Tassomai”
