Homework & Independent Learning
At Bramcote College we want encourage students to be independent and self-motivated learners. We want them to take responsibility for their own learning and be active participants in their learning journey.
Equipment
We ask that all students arrive at school fully equipped and prepared for learning. We expect all students to have a suitable bag (no handbags), their planner and a pencil case with blue or black pens, green pen, HB pencil, 30cm ruler, eraser, pencil sharpener, coloured pencils/fine felt tips. They also need a scientific calculator* and a pair of headphones with a jack plug or USB connection.
* This item can be purchased from the Maths department via MCAS.
We encourage all students to engage in curriculum enrichment opportunities to develop their learning beyond the classroom. This will include three key elements:
· Teacher guided independent study (homework!)
· Self-guided independent study
· Reading for pleasure
Homework
Teachers will set guided independent study (homework) via the Microsoft Teams platform. This platform will provide details of the task and will include any relevant documents. Free access to the Microsoft Office 365 and Teams will allow the students to complete many of the tasks directly within the platform. They will also be able to submit the piece immediately avoiding any issues with lost or misplaced worksheets. They will receive feedback via the same platform. All students will have been shown how to access this in their Computer Science lesson, however they can also come to the library during lunch for additional support.
A reminder of the home learning task will then appear in the MyChildAtSchool App (MCAS) so that you can support your child with their organisation and completing homework.
Frequency of homework:
Homework is set by subject teachers based on the table below. The frequency of homework depends on the subject and year group. Students are usually given one week to complete their homework, although this will vary according to the task set.
Students in Year 7,8,9
We expect that students in Years 7-9 should be spending around 30 minutes studying each evening. In addition to teacher assigned work we will expect the students to complete self-guided independent study using Seneca; we recommend 1 hour a week.
We also recommend that all students spend 30 minutes reading every day. 10 minutes will be completed at school during DEAR time each day, leaving 20 minutes to be completed at home.
Students in Year 10 and 11
We expect that students in Years 10-11 should be spending around 1 hour studying each evening. In addition to teacher assigned work we will expect the students to complete self-guided independent study using Seneca; we recommend 2/3 hours a week.
We also recommend that all students spend 30 minutes reading every day.
Students in Year 12 and 13
Independent learning is an integral part of learning within the sixth form. Students will be set 2 pieces of homework per subject per week; however it is essential that students are taking a systematic approach to retrieval practice and are developing their knowledge through a wide range of wider reading and research. Guidance will be given by subject and pastoral staff should they require support.
6th form students should still be reading for 30 minutes a day. Reading remains a vital skill throughout secondary school, helping students boost their attainment, confidence, and overall academic success.
Reading
At Key Stage 3 (Years 7–9), regular reading—especially for at least 30 minutes a day—can significantly improve vocabulary, comprehension, and critical thinking. Students are encouraged to choose books from the Accelerated Reader programme at the right level and complete quizzes to help meet their reading targets and raise their reading age, preparing them for GCSEs and beyond.
To check whether you child is reading a book with an appropriate level of challenge use the AR book finder tool.
Our School Library features books that are part of the Accelerated Reader Programme, allowing students to complete a Book Quiz after finishing a book. Your child will be encouraged to select a book from the library that matches their Book Level. Each book has a coloured Accelerated Reader tab on the spine indicating its level.
The details for the Accelerated Reader Book Quiz can be found at the front or back of the book Book Level (This indicates the level of difficulty. it’s broken down from 0.1-0.9 for each level. i.e if Level 3 (BLUE) – 3.1) Points (The maximum number of points earnt if they get all questions right on the book quiz) Quiz Number (All books have a 6 digit number so it can be found easily on AR.)
At Key Stages 4 and 5, reading for both purpose and pleasure supports deeper understanding across subjects and fosters independent learning—skills essential for long-term success in education and future careers. Parents play a key role by encouraging daily reading habits and celebrating progress.