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Home Learning

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Leading My Learning

Leading My Learning is coming in January 2025 - Punctuality and Home Learning

At St. Mary’s, our dedicated approach to education ensures that every student receives daily home learning tasks. These assignments serve as invaluable opportunities for you to reinforce, revisit, and apply the knowledge gained in the classroom. We believe in the power of continuous learning, and these tasks are designed to help you consolidate your understanding, review important concepts, and strengthen your skills, fostering a deeper connection with the material taught at school.
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Home Learning Expectations
  • Your teachers will also record home learning tasks in Google Classroom.
  • You should access and engage with Google Classroom every day.
  • Home learning tasks will require you to self-quiz, access online platforms, and complete other tasks set by your teachers.
  • Sometimes you will be asked to upload evidence of your home learning to Google Classroom and sometimes you will need to take a physical copy of your home learning to lesson with you. Check carefully what the teacher has requested.
  • You may wish to complete home learning in your home learning book.
  • Sometimes, your teacher might make suggestions about how you can improve your home learning. You should read and act on all the feedback you are given.
  • Your teachers will monitor your engagement with home learning and award points for completion of outstanding home learning.
  • If your teacher or form tutor is concerned about your engagement with home learning you will be placed on Home Learning Report and your parent/guardian will be contacted.

Completing Your Home Learning

Here at St. Mary’s, we believe in the importance of home learning to reinforce what you learn in the classroom. You’ll receive assignments in all your subjects, with some subjects assigning more frequently than others. To make the most of this opportunity:

  1. Timely Completion: Home learning is meant to be completed on the day it’s assigned. If that’s not possible, aim to finish it as close to the assignment date as you can.
  2. Individual Effort: Your home learning is your personal responsibility. Please refrain from seeking assistance or completing it in groups unless instructed by your teacher. Authenticity and independent work are key.
  3. Avoid Plagiarism: It’s vital to maintain academic integrity. Never copy and paste content from websites. Instead, use them as sources for research and inspiration, citing them properly.
  4. Ideal Study Environment: For the most productive home learning experience, choose a quiet, distraction-free space at home. Having your materials organized and ready is key to maintaining focus.
  5. Home Learning Club: We understand that sometimes home may not be the ideal setting. In such cases, our Home Learning Club provides a supportive alternative. It’s a resource available to students who require a different environment for home learning.
What to do if you're struggling with your home learning

If you find yourself struggling with your home learning, don’t worry—support is available. Firstly, reach out to your subject teacher and honestly explain the challenges you’re facing. They are here to assist you and guide you through your difficulties. Additionally, talk to your form tutor, specifying the subjects you find challenging and the reasons why. Your form tutor can provide valuable support tailored to your needs.

We also encourage you to attend our Home Learning Club, where staff are available to assist you in a focused, supportive environment. If you have questions or need help outside of school hours, don’t hesitate to message your teacher on Google Classroom. We’re committed to ensuring every student receives the help they need to succeed. Remember, reaching out is the first step towards overcoming any challenge. Don’t hesitate to ask for the support you deserve!

Why you should complete your Home Learning

Completing your home learning assignments is crucial for several reasons. Firstly, it helps you become and independent learner, enabling you to grasp concepts and skills on your own, a vital skill for success in school and beyond. By consistently keeping up with your home learning tasks, you not only reinforce your understanding but also boost your confidence, knowing you’re on top of your studies.

Moreover, your efforts don’t go unnoticed. Exceptional work is rewarded with points, contributing to your achievements and enhancing your eligibility for our Rewards Afternoons.

What happens if you don't do your Home Learning

Completing your home learning assignments is essential for your academic success. Failing to do so may hinder your ability to reach your full potential. Without completing your home learning, you risk falling behind in your lessons, making it challenging to grasp new concepts. Additionally, you might find your freinds, who complete their assignments, being rewarded, highlighting the importance of consistent effort.

Furthermore, not fulfilling your home learning responsibilities may lead to consequences. Your parents will be notified, and you may receive detention. In more serious cases, your parents might be requested for a discussion with your teachers. To monitor your progress, you could be placed on a form tutor report card for home learning and, ultimately, a home learning report card with your Head of Year.

By completing your home learning, you not only stay on top of your studies but also contribute significantly to your overall educational development. Stay engaged, be proactive, and unlock your full potential through consistent effort and dedication to your home learning tasks.

Home Learning Frequency

We’ve created a handy table to help you keep track of how often you’ll receive home learning tasks for each subject. Just click on the Year tabs to see your year group’s frequency. We hope you find this table helpful!

Home learning clubs

At St. Mary’s School, we are committed to providing our students with every opportunity to excel academically. That’s why we host homework, revision, and study clubs for various subjects every school day. These clubs offer a supportive environment where students can reinforce their understanding, seek help with challenging topics, and collaborate with peers.  It’s worth noting that the clubs  can change every half term so we encourage students to check back regularly to discover new learning avenues and make the most of these valuable sessions. 

Home Learning Clubs
Homework Club
Open to all students every lunchtime

How to use Google Classroom

At St. Mary’s, we utilise the Google Suite, featuring Google Classroom, as an integral part of our learning platform. It is crucial that you become acquainted with Google Classroom, as all your home learning assignments will be posted there. To access your tasks, use the Gmail username and password provided by the school to login.

Each of your classes has its own designated Google Classroom page, easily accessible upon logging in. To help you get started, we’ve compiled a collection of user guides for your reference. We encourage you to review them to unlock your full learning potential.

Click to visit Google Classroom
Student remote learning protocol

If you have any questions or require any further help on this don’t hesitate to contact your teacher in class or via email.

Viewing the classroom
Handing in an assignment
kEEPING oRGANISED
Contacting your teacher

Home Learning Tips for parents/carers

At St. Mary’s, we understand the importance of parental involvement in a child’s education journey. To empower you in supporting your child’s learning adventure, we have curated a set of invaluable homework tips. These expert suggestions are designed to enhance your child’s study habits and overall academic performance. By actively engaging with these tips, you can create a nurturing environment at home, ensuring your child not only completes their homework but also excels in their studies. From fostering motivation to creating productive study spaces, our tips are crafted to inspire a love for learning and instill vital skills for future success.
Parents play a vital role in their child’s education. Stay engaged with your child’s homework progress, understanding the assignments, and offering assistance when needed. Show genuine interest in their learning journey.
Designate a quiet, well-lit space in your home specifically for homework. Minimize distractions to create a conducive environment where your child can concentrate and focus on their tasks effectively.
Establish a consistent homework routine. Set a specific time each day for homework, allowing your child to anticipate and prepare for this dedicated learning period. Consistency helps develop good study habits.
Teach your child the importance of planning. Encourage them to organize their assignments, break tasks into manageable chunks, and create a schedule. Planning ahead prevents last-minute rushes and reduces stress.
Provide positive reinforcement and encouragement. Acknowledge your child’s efforts and accomplishments, reinforcing their confidence. Celebrate their achievements, no matter how small, to boost their motivation and enthusiasm for learning.
Encourage your child to take pride in their homework. Display their completed assignments, projects, or artwork. Positive reinforcement instills a sense of achievement, motivating them to consistently invest effort in their tasks.
Demonstrate a strong work ethic and a positive attitude toward learning. Children often mimic their parents’ behavior, so showcasing diligence, curiosity, and a love for learning sets a valuable example for them to follow.
Encourage your child to work collaboratively with classmates. Discussing homework assignments with peers can offer different perspectives and enhance understanding. Group study sessions or peer discussions can reinforce learning.
Help your child connect their homework to real-life situations and future goals. Explain how the skills they are acquiring are relevant to their future aspirations. Understanding the practical applications of their knowledge can inspire a deeper interest in learning.
If your child is struggling with certain subjects or assignments, don’t hesitate to seek extra help. Reach out to teachers, tutors, or educational resources for additional support. Addressing challenges promptly ensures your child receives the assistance they need to thrive academically.

MCAS app

My Child At School (MCAS) is an innovative app designed for parents and carers to keep track of their child’s academic progress. The app provides real-time access to information such as attendance records, grades, and behavior reports. It also allows parents and carers to communicate directly with teachers and check the school calendar for upcoming events. One of the key features of the app is the homework module, which lets parents and carers keep track of the homework their child has been assigned, when it is due, and how well they have completed it. With “My Child At School,” parents and carers can stay informed about their child’s academic performance and take an active role in supporting their education.

Click here to access/download MCAS

external websites

We utilise two innovative online platforms, Educake and Sparx, to enhance the learning experience for its students. Educake is an interactive online platform designed for personalised revision and homework assignments. It provides students with a vast array of subject-specific quizzes and exercises, tailored to individual learning needs, enabling them to reinforce their understanding of various topics effectively.

Sparx, on the other hand, is an adaptive learning platform focused on mathematics. It utilises cutting-edge technology to provide personalised maths exercises to students, adjusting the difficulty level based on their performance. This adaptive approach ensures that students receive targeted support in areas where they may need additional practice, ultimately improving their maths skills and confidence.

By incorporating these platforms into their educational approach, St. Mary’s empowers students with valuable tools that cater to their unique learning styles, fostering a more engaging and effective learning environment.

Click here to visit the Educake website
Click here to visit the Sparx website
Click here to visit the MFL Quizlet website