Home Learning

Home Learning is set because it not only reinforces classroom learning, but also helps young people to develop skills and attitudes they need for successful lifelong learning.  It supports the development of independent learning skills, including the habits of enquiry and investigation.

At St Albans Girls’ School, Home Learning is an integral part of the curriculum; it is planned and prepared alongside all other programmes of learning. Home Learning tasks are selected ensuring they are appropriate to the age, ability and circumstances of the students. Teachers also make sure that they reflect the research findings that suggest tasks linked to the work completed in school are more effective and where there is feedback linked to home learning, the impact on progress is greater. There is also evidence to suggest that the longer a student spends on a piece of home learning, that it has less impact on their learning. We have tailored our home learning guidance to take this into account. 

Each subject has a programme of Home Learning tasks linked to the programme of study. Home Learning can be completed at home but can also be completed at school.  The Library Resource Centre (LRC), for example, is open each morning at 8.15am and closes at 4.30pm as well as being open to students at break and lunch time. In addition, many departments will organise after school and lunch time study sessions to help students with their studies.

Home Learning for Years 7-9 will be set as per the chart below and outlined in our Home Learning Policy with each task lasting 20 minutes for Year 7, 30 minutes for Year 8 and 40 minutes for Year 9. Tasks will be set on Edulink and any necessary materials will be uploaded to Google Classroom. Optional Take it Further tasks offering stretch and challenge are set by departments on Google Classroom.