Expectations of Approach to Study

A positive approach and attitude to learning are fundamental to you seeing success in your Sixth Form studies, in preparation for your future careers. We expect you to strive to achieve your potential and show commitment through your work ethic and approach to learning both in and outside of lessons. 

What this means in practice: 

Come to lessons with everything you need to learn – e.g. books, pens, notes, files, equipment. 

Put away your mobile phone before lessons, this should not be seen unless directed by a member of staff. 

Be actively involved in your lessons – be attentive, ask questions, take part in discussions, work hard on tasks and find solutions to overcome challenges. 

Take advice seriously and be open to using feedback to further yourself. 

Complete homework tasks with enough time to seek support if you need it. 

Plan how you will use your study time, ensuring you are completing independent learning activities in each of your subjects every week (see below) and maximise the use of your time in sixth form. 

Be proactive with managing any absences and arrange to catch up on missed work. 

Independent learning expectations 

The ability to make progress in subjects beyond the classroom is an integral factor in the level of success students will achieve in sixth form. To support this study lessons initially take the following forms: 

• Independent study sessions: registered sessions that take place in the sixth form study suite. Expectation that work is completed independently and in silence, creating a productive and focused environment that allows for students to be in the zone. 

• Non-independent study sessions: unregistered sessions where students choose where in sixth form or the school they wish to work. Use of time is still focused and productive, with the opportunity to work collaboratively if required. 

Students progressing into Year 13 with a successful approach to independent study will be able to complete agreed non-independent study periods off site. 

To ensure the time is used effectively you are expected to adhere to the following study standards: 

1. Have a clear plan of what you need to achieve and have enough tasks to ensure you are working for the full amount of time for that session. 
2. Have a purposeful attitude to begin work immediately. 
3. Be prepared to respect the needs of others and the impact your behaviour may have on them. Avoid distracting others, including your friends. 
4. Consider where you sit and ensure you are able to fully focus. 
5. Plan for collaborative work so to be completed in non-independent study periods. 

Research shows that students who fulfil their potential at sixth form complete an additional 20 hours of studying towards their subjects per week – homework alone will not fulfil this. Over the course of a week students should aim to complete additional learning activities that, alongside set homework tasks, support their mastery of knowledge within a subject. Examples of these additional learning activities include: 

Revision (cue cards, mind maps etc) 

Past paper questions 

Reattempting/redrafting 

Reading ahead (pre-reading) 

Completing wider academic reading / listening / viewing and producing a VIPER summary 

Watching an online tutorial/revision video and making summary notes. 

Completing a MOOC (Massive Online Open Course)