Self-Study

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At Wildern we believe self-study is a necessary part of learning as it is used to develop independent study skills and consolidate the work students complete in class.

We believe that completing work outside lessons helps students in a number of ways:

• It develops Wildern attributes and good study habits

• It supports memory acquisition

• It teaches the importance of deadlines 

• It consolidates classroom learning, practicing skills 

• It enables students to think critically and creatively

• It allows students to extend classroom learning 

• It promotes independent thinking learning and the skills for lifelong learning

• It allows students to practice skills needed in examinations

• Can help identify strengths and weaknesses

All self-study tasks are set on Google Classroom, with a deadline given.

At Key Stage Three:

Self-study at KS3 should be set with a weekly or fortnightly deadline by English, Maths, Science and MFL. Tasks should take a student up to 30 minutes to complete per subject area. The emphasis should be on the quality of the response and not the amount completed by the student. Tasks should:

• utilise interleaving, spaced repetition, retrieval practice, deliberate practice (repetition, reflection, refinement) 

• over time provide opportunities to apply skills, knowledge and gain feedback 

• have a clear outline as to how completing it will enable the student to move forward in their studies (be meaningful)

• be fed back on either individually or through whole class feedback

Tasks could include Google quizzes, vocabulary learning, Memorise (MFL), Sparx Maths or Science or extended reading with comprehension questions.

At Key Stage Four

Self-study at KS4 should be set regularly with a weekly or fortnightly deadline for all examination subjects. Tasks should take a student up to 60 mins to complete per subject area. The emphasis should be on the quality of the response and not the amount completed by the student. Tasks should:

• be meaningful and relevant

• build on current work or revisit previous knowledge

• utilise interleaving, spaced repetition, retrieval practice, deliberate practice (repetition, reflection, refinement)

• over time provide opportunities to apply skills, knowledge and gain feedback 

• have a clear outline as to how completing it will enable the student to move forward in his/her studies

• be focussed on developing revision resources if no independent tasks suitable to be set - these should be shared with the teacher for feedback to be given

Some examples of tasks could include Google quizzes, targeted practice, vocabulary learning, Sparx Maths or Science, extended reading with comprehension questions, practice papers (Self marking), creating mindmaps or flash cards on the current topic or creating notes or research on current topic.

The revision resources students create should be relevant to support preparation for year 9, 10 and 11 exams. These resources should be shared with the teacher and fed back on, either through individual feedback or peer/self assessment from whole class feedback in the same way that other self-study tasks are.

Please see our information page in the parent section of this website on how to support your child with their learning.