In this section you will find useful links and advice to help you with your independent study. This might be for your homework, exam revision or any extension topics you wish to understand further.
Seneca Learning
Seneca Learning is an excellent online tool that can be used to support revision in any of your subjects. It is a fantastic resource that learning professionals highly recommend to help with the all important exam preparation. To get start click the image above.
Personalised Learning – Parent and Pupil Guidelines
- What is homework?
- Study smarter
- Appropriate homework
- Useful study support websites
What is homework?
DfES National Framework:
“Homework refers to any work or activities which pupils are asked to do outside of lesson time, either on their own or with parents and carers”
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Study Support at Sandhill View Academy
As an Academy, we have developed support for pupils to complete more of their additional work by using ICT or e-learning. Our Graphic IT Suite hosts dozens of computers and is available to all pupils after school to do their work. Our school library is also available for pupils to work in over lunchtimes and after school.
Study Smarter
1. Study in the Same Place
Find a quiet place with plenty of room. Study at the same place every time — desk in bedroom, kitchen table, library etc.
2. Study at the Same Time
What time of day do you study best? Use that time every day to study.
3. Use a Homework Box
Keep all your homework supplies in one place. Keep them organized ready to be used.
4. Cut Out All Distractions
Concentrate on your homework. TV should be turned off and music turned down. Phonecalls should be taken after you have finished studying.
5. Do the Hard Stuff First
Dreading an assignment? Know it requires a lot of work? Do it first! Your brain will be fresh – leave smaller tasks to later.
6. Schedule Long Term Projects
Break up large projects into smaller parts. Set yourself a deadline for completing each part.
7. Review Regularly
Homework is not just what you are given every night. A regular review of your notes should be a part of your homework plan. A few minutes each day will pay off considerably when it comes to tests, SAT’s and exams.
8. Write up a Contract
Sit down with your parents and write up a homework contract at the beginning of each term. What is expected of each of you and gives you all an input into your homework.
9. Schedule Each Homework Session
When you sit down to do your homework make up a quick plan for how you are going to do it. Break it up into blocks of time that you will spend on each task.
10. Avoid Doing a Marathon
If you have followed Tip No.9 this should never happen! However, you need breaks and marathon study sessions are the least productive way to study.
Appropriate Homework
Homework will consolidate, reinforce and extend classwork, and will be set approximately every 3 lessons. Tasks will be matched to the age, needs and ability of the students and to the scheme of work being covered in the lessons.
Homework will develop study skills that are essential to the students’ development as independent learners. Homework is more than just a written task given to pupils each lesson.
A range of suitable homework tasks include;
| Research | Designing | ICT |
| Essay Writing | Drafting | Projects |
| Investigations | Library Work | Revision |
| Making a model | Report writing | Drawing |
| Simple Experiments | Interviews | Reading |
Useful study support websites
www.bbc.co.uk/education/revision
www.projectgcse.co.uk
www.schoolscience.co.uk
www.topmarks.co.uk
www.howstuffworks.com
www.nationalgallery.org.uk
www.sosmath.com
www.gcsescience.com
www.sciencemuseum.org.uk
