Principles
- Research indicates that the influence of homework on learning consistently yields positive results, leading to an average of five months' additional progress.
- Studies demonstrate that in the most effective instances, homework is an integral part of learning, not merely an addition.
- Complex or open-ended homework is often completed less effectively; short, frequent homework closely monitored by teachers is likely to have a more significant impact.
- A recent study investigating the correlation between time spent on homework and academic achievement revealed that pupils completing homework independently for 60-70 minutes daily experienced the most substantial impact (Institute for Effective Education, 2015).
- Knowledge that is retrieved regularly, spaced out over time, is remembered for the long-term. This is why our homework system is built around retrieval of core knowledge and regular practice, not one-off tasks.
Independent Study at Ark Boulton Academy
We expect the following from our pupils:
- Pupils learn the core knowledge for every subject on Wayground: the flashcards in the first week of each block, then the Home Quiz to 90% or above in the second week. Wayground homework is set on Sunday and due the following Sunday at 7pm.
- Pupils complete Sparx Maths, Sparx Reader (English) and Sparx Science every week, with a deadline of Friday at 5.00pm. Sparx Reader is not set for Year 11.
- Pupils complete 100% of their homework by the deadline. Homework that is 80% or 99% complete is not complete.
- Pupils follow the weekly rhythm below, completing their studies as directed by their class teachers.
This adds up to approximately five hours of independent study per week, or roughly 45 minutes per day.
Homework and the Assessment Cycle
Everything we do at Ark Boulton follows our assessment cycle. It has five stages around one goal at the centre: outcomes, meaning the academic performance of every pupil. Homework plays a part in every stage.
- Core knowledge: homework is built from the Golden Nuggets in each subject, so pupils practise exactly what they need to know.
- Teaching: Wayground flashcards prepare pupils for lessons, and the DNA at the start of each lesson tests what they have practised at home.
- Assessment: Home Quizzes and Sparx show teachers every week what pupils know, and homework is how pupils prepare for their end-of-term Core Knowledge Assessment, NDAs and mock exams.
- Closing gaps: missed homework is completed in a completion session, and pupils below 90% on the Core Knowledge Assessment revise at home and resit until they pass.
- Monitor, review and refine: completion is checked every week, and we use it to improve how homework works.
Core and Foundational Knowledge
Core Knowledge Organisers
At Ark Boulton, our expert teachers have created a Core Knowledge Organiser. This document includes all the essential information your child needs for their subjects. It uses accurate academic terms and matches what they learn in class. This helps your child understand what they need to learn and reduces confusion. The organiser highlights key knowledge and concepts, helping your child remember the most important information for assessments.
You can find the termly Core Knowledge Organisers at the bottom of the page.
Consolidate Foundational Knowledge
We use Wayground so pupils can memorise the core knowledge for every subject, then apply it further through Sparx in Maths, English and Science.
Each block of core knowledge runs on a two-weekly cycle:
- Week 1, at home: Pupils learn the block's coren knowledge using Wayground flashcards
- Week 2, at home: Pupils complete the block's Home Quiz, achieving 90% or above
| Subject | Core Knowledge | Weekly Homework |
|---|---|---|
| English | Wayground | Sparx Reader |
| Maths | Wayground | Sparx Maths |
| Science | Wayground | Sparx Science |
| Geography | Wayground | None |
| History | Wayground | None |
| MFL | Wayground | Language Nut (Years 10 and 11 only)* |
| RE | Wayground | None |
| Computer Science | Wayground | None |
| PE | Wayground | None |
| Personal Development | Wayground | None |
| Art | Wayground | None* |
| Music | Wayground | None |
| Drama | Wayground | None |
| Child Development | Wayground | None |
| Media Studies | Wayground | None |
*A small number of subjects, such as Art and French, may also set their own paper-based homework tasks alongside Wayground.
Year 11 pupils complete Sparx Maths and Sparx Science every week. Homework in their other subjects is set by subject teachers, and pupils revise for their mock and GCSE exams using their Core Knowledge Organisers, revision guides and past papers. Each Year 11 pupil also receives a personalised revision timetable before their mock exams.
At Ark Boulton, we are committed to ensuring every student can access learning that supports their progress and personal development. Following the completion of NGRT assessments, we identify pupils who will benefit from a more personalised curriculum. These pupils are follow adapted lesson pathways, and to complement this, they also follow a tailored independent study programme.
This programme is designed to reinforce key skills and promote confidence in core areas of learning. Students in the following classes will engage with the following platforms:
- Doodle Maths – to strengthen numeracy foundations
- Sparx Reader – to develop reading fluency and comprehension
- Flash Academy – where relevant, to support English language acquisition
These platforms have been selected for their accessibility, adaptability, and proven impact. This approach ensures that all students continue to build independence and make meaningful progress beyond the classroom.
The Weekly Rhythm
Independent Learning follows the same weekly rhythm for every year group:
- Sunday: Wayground homework is set, and is due the following Sunday at 7.00pm.
- At home, throughout the week: pupils work on their Wayground flashcards or Home Quiz, little and often, and complete their Sparx homework.
- In class: the DNA at the start of lessons tests the core knowledge pupils have practised at home.
- Lunchtimes: Sparx clubs run every week for any pupil who wants extra help.
- Wednesday: 60-minute Wayground completion session after school, for pupils who have not completed their Wayground homework.
- Friday, 5pm: deadline for Sparx Maths, Sparx Reader and Sparx Science.
- Friday: two-hour Sparx completion session after school, for pupils who have not completed their Sparx homework.
Pupils have the flexibility to complete their studies at a time that is convenient for them and their families, so long as work is ready by the relevant deadline.
Incomplete Homework
Homework is central to learning, so we follow up every missed homework quickly. The aim is always that the work gets done.
- On the deadline day, pupils who have not finished are given the chance to complete their homework by lunchtime.
- Pupils who still have not completed it attend an after-school completion session in the computer rooms: 60 minutes on Wednesdays for Wayground, and two hours on Fridays for Sparx. Parents and carers are informed.
- If there are genuine extenuating circumstances, such as illness or a family emergency, please contact your child's Head of Year before the deadline.
- Not having the internet or a device at home is never a reason for homework to go undone. Pupils may use school computers before school, at lunchtime and after school.
Core Knowledge Assessments and Retests
At the end of each term, every pupil sits a Core Knowledge Assessment on that term's Golden Nuggets. Nothing new is tested, and pupils are given revision material to work on at home in the weeks before.
The pass mark is 90%. Pupils who score below 90% attend a retest session, which takes priority over detentions and clubs. Before the retest, they watch teacher modelling videos and revise at home, and they resit until they pass. Pupils who pass first time are recognised in celebration events.
The Role of the Pupil
- Pupils will use Wayground and Sparx to manage their independent study, and are expected to complete 100% of all tasks before the relevant deadline.
- Pupils will use the weekly rhythm above to plan their time each evening, so nothing is missed.
- Pupils will complete all work set to the best of their ability.
- Pupils will seek help from staff before the deadline if they have issues accessing online platforms or their internet connection, including at the lunchtime Sparx clubs.
- Pupils will report issues or damage to their laptop to their form tutor as soon as they occur.
- Pupils will log in through the Wayground and Sparx websites or apps, not through Microsoft Teams, so their work is recorded.
- Pupils will revise for the end-of-term Core Knowledge Assessment, and attend retests and completion sessions when required.
The Role of the Parent / Carer
Working together will help our pupils to be successful. Parents and carers can support in the following ways:
- Allocating a quiet study space at home.
- Checking in on what work has been set for their child.
- Testing their child on what they have learnt using the Core Knowledge Organiser.
- Asking their child what they have learnt.
- Setting targets together.
- Familiarising themselves with Wayground and Sparx, and checking their child's progress on both each week.
- Visiting the Parent Hub (Subjects) to access information and 'how-to' guides.
- Attending parent/carer sessions on how to support their child's independent learning.
- Reading the half-termly academic progress card, which shows their child's attendance, punctuality, Wayground completion and Sparx Maths, Reader and Science completion.
- Supporting their child to revise before the end-of-term Core Knowledge Assessment and mock exams.
- Contacting the Head of Year before the deadline if there are genuine extenuating circumstances.
Rewards
Independent study is recognised through a five-tier reward ladder, so pupils can see progress recognised often, not just once a year.
| Reward | Frequency | How it's Earned |
|---|---|---|
| Merits | Weekly | 1 merit for each of the 4 weekly components completed (Wayground and the 3 Sparx subjects), plus a bonus merit for a perfect week: 5 in total. |
| Completion Certificate | Every 3 weeks | Awarded to pupils with strong completion over the period, presented in form time. |
| Half-Termly Celebration Assembly | Half-Termly | A whole year group assembly recognising top completers, most improved, and more, across every class. |
| Celebration Event | Termly | A dedicated event for every pupil who completed all independent study that term, with platform awards for the strongest performers. |
| End of Year Celebration Trip | End of Year | The highest recognition, for pupils who have shown exceptional dedication to independent study across the full year. |
Useful Study Links
Wayground is where pupils complete their core knowledge flashcards and Home Quizzes for every subject.
For English (Years 7 - 10)
For Maths
For Science
Language Nut is where you will find your online learning for French and Spanish
Research
Research underpinning the Ark Boulton Academy approach to Independent Learning
- Brown, E.R., Culora, A. and Ilie, S. (2021) Independent analysis of the relationship between Sparx ..., Cambridge Educational Research (Accessed 01 September 2024)
- Dabell, J. (2019) Research Analysis: Getting the most out of homework, SecEd (Accessed 15 July 2024)
- EEF. (2021) Homework, EEF (Accessed: 15 July 2024)
- Hallam, S., 2006. Homework: its uses and abuses. London: Institute of Education, University of London