Our vision: 

• Ensuring independent learning plays a pivotal role in reinforcing classroom learning and promoting academic development for every child in Key Stage 4. 

• To promote consistent routines around independent skills, enabling students at Wrenn School to be successful in their studies but also to transfer these qualities, such as organisation, commitment, autonomy and working hard and excel in other aspects of their future lives.  

Implementation: 

At Wrenn School, independent learning tasks are pre-planned and carefully considered to build upon the taught skills and topics delivered in the classroom. Evidence from the Education Endowment Foundation shows that the most effective form of independent tasks focuses not on the quantity of the work completed, but instead on the quality. This is why, at Wrenn School, we focus on tasks which focus on retrieval of knowledge as well as applying skills. This allows our students to have opportunities throughout the academic year to recall and apply prior learning which will reinforce their knowledge, increasing their confidence. 

Potential Independent Study Activities: 

• Retrieval Practice: engage in prior subject/topic recall and reactivation activities utilising online revision platforms such as SPARX, completing revision material such as knowledge organisers and revision flashcards to consolidate prior learning. 

• Routine question and answers: complete online question and answers using platforms such as Microsoft Forms. These will include familiar formats such as multiple-choice questions and short answer questions which will mark as soon as submitted so pupils can check their knowledge and understanding with the immediate opportunity to challenge misconceptions.  

• Paper based activities and resources set directly from their teacher which are activities designed to deepen knowledge by applying their understanding. This could include exam questions.  

Independent Study Expectations

Wrenn School will:  

• Communicate all KS4 subject’s independent learning tasks for each half term in advance through Arbor communications. 

• Staff will monitor completion of independent study tasks and record missed homework.  

• Praise pupils for the independent learning tasks by issuing house points for good quality work completed on time, clear effort and to the student’s best ability or golden tickets for exceptional pieces of independent learning, including where pupils complete tasks from the extra “striving for a 9” sheet.  

• Sanction in line with the behaviour policy to ensure missed learning opportunities are caught up on (figure 1)

Students will: 

• Access their assigned independent study assignment through Arbor/be directed to online platforms via Arbor. 

• Request help from a member of staff or a parent if necessary. 

• Attend independent study support clubs if needed: these run separately for Y10 and Y11. These support clubs will be clearly outlined on the list of Extra Curricular Activities sheet which is sent to parents and carers and shared with pupils during tutor time and assemblies. 

• Complete independent learning tasks to a high standard and on time. 

• Communicate with their class teachers prior to the deadline date if they are struggling to complete independent learning tasks. 

• Ensure students have a quiet space to complete independent learning tasks at home, or that they access support facilities at school e.g. independent learning support club or the library. 

• Ensure students complete their independent learning to a high standard and on time. 

• Communicate concerns about independent learning with the relevant teaching staff. 

Parents will: 

• Ensure students have a quiet space to complete independent learning tasks at home, or that they access support facilities at school e.g. independent learning support club or the library. 

• Ensure students complete their independent learning to a high standard and on time. 

• Communicate concerns about independent learning with the relevant teaching staff.