Stretch projects and homework

Stretch projects

Our stretch projects nurture independence, curiosity, and a love of learning. Each project allows students to explore a personal interest within a set theme, culminating in a showcase of their work at the end of each cycle.

Embedded within careers education lectures for Years 7 and 8, stretch projects help students develop research, communication, and presentation skills, preparing them for further education and future careers.

The project process:

• Select an area of interest within the theme
• Research the topic in depth
• Prepare a speech to share findings
• Create a supporting presentation aid
• Deliver the speech to their advisory group

Themes:

Year 7: 

• Cycle 1: who am I? 
•  Cycle 2: culture

Year 8: 

• Cycle 1: aspirations
• cycle 2: politics

Students present to their advisory group, with semi-finalists chosen to present to their house, and finalists presenting to the whole year during stretch finals.

This process develops confidence, public speaking skills, and the ability to communicate ideas, equipping students for lifelong success.
 

Homework

Evidence from the Education Endowment Foundation shows that completing homework can add five months of progress for students, so it is crucial that it is completed.

The main homework which is due Tuesday - Friday is Read, Cover, Write, Check homework based on knowledge organisers (documents containing the key knowledge for each subject). 

This is to embed the habit of regular revision, and the knowledge links to what students are studying during lessons, and quizzes in our Morning Meetings every day. 

Students have to read, cover, write out and check with green pen a specified section of the knowledge organiser of a specific subject each day on a page of A4 lined paper from their refill pad, which we have provided.

You can check what section and subject are due when on the homework timetable, which is also summarised below.

The success criteria are as follows:

• Full name, advisory and subject at the top of the page
• Writing on every line: no lines skipped
•  Green pen: checking and changing
• Correct subject and section completed
• When there are two subjects, a line drawn to separate the subjects rather than a line skipped

Our homework schedule:

• Monday: Sparx Maths
• Tuesday: Sparx Reader and English RCWC
• Thursday: Sparx Science
• Friday: Geography and History (half a page of each)

Stretch homework is set on a Monday each week in stretch and is due the following Monday. It is preparation for an independent presentation on a topic they find interesting.

Sparx Maths, Sparx Reader and Sparx Science are online homework programmes which are set each week. Students have seven days from when the homework is set to complete it.

Students have been taken through the Read, Cover, Write, Check process several times, and if they are still unsure, they should attend homework club - which runs after school every day - or speak to their advisor.

Students are also expected to complete 30 minutes of independent reading per day. Please record the page number your child is up to in their planner.

Do not hesitate to contact us if you need any support with homework.