Homework & Independent Learning
This section of the website has been created to assist parents of students to understand the importance of pupils completing homework and how independent learning can support student attainment.
Each class teacher for every subject will set homework as appropriate and in accordance with the Priory Federation homework policy and philosophy. This will be found in the student’s planner. In addition to this the Priory Ruskin Academy have introduced an initiative to enable students to extend their learning further and enable parents to access academy life easier.
Below is an outline of this initiative:
Each department will set one ‘optional’ piece of extended learning / homework per term (12 weeks) for all pupils in years 7, 8 and 9. This homework is generic, i.e. it is not linked to a particular lesson, so it can be done at anytime during the term. The deadline for these pieces of work is the penultimate Friday of term, but it can be handed in to the relevant class teacher before that time.
This optional homework is designed to either stretch students to level 6, 7 and 8, which are levels that focus on analysis, evaluation or creativity or it is designed to develop personal, learning and thinking skills (PLTS). Students in any set can attempt these projects and help from parents is encouraged.
If a student attempts any piece of optional homework with a ‘degree of seriousness’ he or she will automatically receive 5 House Points which they must collect from the subject teacher. They will also gain extra points for their ‘House’ in a separate competition. A record of achievement will also be kept for those students who have produced the most optional homework. Any student completing 4 or more piece will receive a certificate.
Students will then be shortlisted for special awards at the end of term. The Top 3 students who produce the best pieces of work each term will be presented with a Certificate and Plaque. In a similar way, the 3 students who complete the most pieces of work will also receive a Certificate and Plaque.
At the end of the year the students who are judged to have produced the three best pieces of work overall will receive special rewards.
The student producing the best overall piece of work will receive a contribution up to the value of £70 towards a gift of their own choice. The student in second place will receive a contribution of £50 and for third place a contribution of £30. The contribution can be used towards a gift or an activity of their choice.
We have a comprehensive list of possible activities, such as a family ticket (2 adults and up to 4 children) to visit The Space Centre in Leicester, or tickets to go go-carting at Ancaster. The Academy will not issue cash prizes.