Home Learning
Home Learning at Ivybridge Community College
At Ivybridge Community College, we recognize the vital role home learning plays in reinforcing classroom teaching and improving long-term knowledge retention. Research shows home learning in secondary schools can add an average of five months of progress to students' education. Our carefully structured approach ensures home learning is purposeful, accessible, and achievable for all students.
Our Principles
- Accessible to All: Tasks are set using easily accessible platforms like Class Charts, ensuring no student is disadvantaged.
- Clear Communication: Home learning is logged on Class Charts, so students know what to do and when to complete it.
- Practice-Oriented: Tasks focus on retrieval and skill-building to embed knowledge into long-term memory.
- Feedback-Driven: Teachers dedicate class time to review and guide improvements.
- Motivating: Completion is recorded to keep parents informed and students engaged.
Home learning will always;
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Be logged on Class Charts. “Not on Class Charts, student does not need to complete.”
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At Key Stage 3 and 4 Be given a week from setting to completion.
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Be completed online/submitted online prior to the lesson/ brought to lesson for submission.
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Take a sensible/ achievable time to complete. (<45 mins per evening).
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Form some part of the lesson on the date of submission through addressing common misconceptions and inaccuracies in knowledge.
What to Expect
Students should expect regular but not onerous home learning every day.
A guide to the length of time spent on home learning is...
| Key Stage 3 | |
| Year 7 | 1 subject x 30 minutes per day |
| Year 8 | 1 subject x 40 minutes per day |
| Year 9 | 1 subject x 45 minutes per day |
| Key Stage 4 | |
| Year 10 | 2 subjects x 30 minutes per day |
| Year 11 | 2 subjects x 40 minutes per day |
| Key Stage 5 | |
| Year 12 | 2 x 60 minutes per week per subject |
| Year 13 | 2 x 60 minutes per week per subject |
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Plus 3 hours of independent revision/ Cornell notes/ extra practice/ consolidation per subject per week. Practical subjects will have periods of time when coursework or Non-Examined Assessments (NEA) will require increased volume of work. |
Enrichment Opportunities
Optional tasks in subjects like music, drama, and technology enhance creativity but are non-compulsory and carry no penalties for non-completion.
Supporting Students
We offer:
- Home learning clubs and device loans for students lacking resources.
- Parent workshops with practical strategies for supporting learning at home.
- A dedicated Year 11 revision space with after-school support.
Celebrating Success
We recognise and reward students who consistently complete high-quality work through Class Charts and our character development program.
Addressing Barriers
For students struggling with home learning, our pastoral team collaborates with families to identify challenges and provide tailored support. Persistent non-completion may impact access to enrichment opportunities like sports teams, trips, and prom.
Our home learning strategy empowers every student to thrive academically, ensuring equity, accountability, and success in their educational journey. Visit our Home Learning page for more details and resources.