Thomas Tallis School
  • Home
  • About
    • An Overview >
      • The Leadership Team
      • Who was Thomas Tallis?
      • Why Tallis?
      • School Vision
      • Artsmark
      • Prince's Teaching Institute
      • International School
      • Ofsted
    • School Prospectus
    • Mrs Roberts Writes
    • Tallis Habits >
      • Tallis Pedagogy Wheel Guide
    • Tallis Character
    • Tate Exchange
    • Secondary School Direct Hub
    • The Pupil Premium 2021-22 >
      • The Pupil Premium 2020-21
      • The Pupil Premium 2019-20
      • The Pupil Premium 2018-19
      • The Pupil Premium 2017-18
      • The Pupil Premium 2016-17
      • The Pupil Premium 2014-15
      • The Pupil Premium 2013-14
      • The Pupil Premium 2012-13
      • The Pupil Premium 2011-12
    • Exam Results 2021 >
      • Exam Results 2020
      • Exam Results 2019
      • Exam Results 2018
      • Exam Results 2017
      • Exam Results 2016
      • Exam Results 2015
      • Exam Results 2014
      • Exam Results 2013
      • Exam Results 2012
      • Exam Results 2011
    • COVID-19 Catch-Up Report
    • Early Catch Up 2019/20 and Action Plan 2020/2120 >
      • Early Catch Up 2018/2019 and Action Plan 2019/2020
      • Early Catch Up 2017/2018 and Action Plan 2018/19
      • Early catch-up review and action plan 2017-18
    • Job Vacancies
  • News
    • Tallis Newsletters
    • BBC School Report 2018
    • Tallis Photography
    • Tallis Video
    • Tallis Sounds
  • Calendar
    • The School Day
    • Term Dates 2021-22
    • Term Dates 2022-23
  • Curriculum
    • Curriculum Areas >
      • Business & ICT
      • Computing
      • English & Philosophy
      • Design & Technology
      • Humanities & Social Sciences
      • Languages
      • Mathematics
      • Performing Arts
      • Physical Education
      • Science
      • Visual & Media Arts
    • Pastoral Care
    • Guidance >
      • Tallis Futures
      • PSHCE Bulletins 2020
    • Key Stage 3 >
      • KS3 Assessment guidance
      • Year 8 Arts Choices
      • Tallis Choices
    • Key Stage 4
    • Tallis Post 16
    • Exceptionally Able Learners
    • Special Educational Needs & Disabilities >
      • Learning Support Unit
      • Support Centre for Autism and Language Impairment
      • Deaf Support Centre
      • English as an Additional Language
    • Extra-Curricular Activities
  • Community
    • Letters Home
    • Bromcom Guide for Parents
    • PTFA
    • Governing Board
    • The Tallis Agreement
    • Admissions
    • Attendance & Punctuality >
      • Apply for Exceptional Circumstances Absence in Term Time
    • School Uniform
    • Policies & Guidelines >
      • Data Protection
      • Making Complaints
    • Support Your Teen
    • Online Safety
    • Tallis Post 16
  • Students
    • Year 11 Support & Guidance
    • Bromcom Guide for Students
    • Remote Learning
    • Tallis Clubs
    • Tallis Mentoring
    • JCQ Information for Candidates 2020-21
    • Virtual Assemblies
    • Independent Learning
    • Exam Revision
    • Stay Safe
    • Duke of Edinburgh Award
    • Rewards
    • Reading
    • The Library
    • School Council
    • Cycling at Tallis
    • Alumni
  • Staff
  • Links
  • Contact
    • School Map
    • How to find us
  • Search
T: +44 (0)208 856 0115

EDUCATION TO UNDERSTAND THE WORLD & CHANGE IT FOR THE BETTER

Independent Learning

Research in the last decade has begun to focus on the relationship between independent learning and student achievement and has shown a clear resulting improvement, particularly for students at secondary school. At Tallis we believe that independent learning assignments form a vital part of students' learning experiences, helping to embed knowledge and skills acquired in class and providing young people with an opportunity to develop a range of crucial learning habits including independent thinking, creativity, resilience and initiative. 
​

Why is independent learning important?
  • It can develop inquisitiveness, by providing opportunities for long term research and other work. 
  • It can develop collaboration, by involving parents and others in the learning process and so providing an important motivational function.
  • It can develop persistence, by allowing students to develop their ability to work independently.
  • It can develop discipline, by allowing valuable practice and extension of skills, knowledge and understanding learned in the classroom.
  • It can develop imagination, by allowing students to use materials and other sources of information that are not always available in the classroom.

How can you help?
Your child will need to work more independently at secondary school than at primary school, but your interest and input will still be important and will help your child to do well.
  1. Provide a quiet environment and necessary equipment
  2. Have a regular independent learning routine
  3. Praise effort, rather than achievement
  4. Show an interest
  5. Set a good example
  6. Monitor: check your child’s planner and independent learning on Insight

Key Stage 3 Independent Learning Expectations
There are published timetables which have been drawn up to allocate KS3 home learning across all subjects, based on a careful timing for each subject. There is a suggested duration of around 30 minutes per independent learning task set in Year 7 and Year 8. 

Key Stage 4 Independent Learning Expectations
It is expected that KS4 students should have between 60 and 90 minutes of independent learning per subject per week.  Staff have agreed with students they teach in Years 9, 10 and 11 when independent learning will be set and asked them to record this carefully in their school planner. 

Key Stage 5 Independent Learning Expectations
It is expected that for every hour of lesson time, students in the post-16 centre will do one hour of independent study as home learning.  Staff will set independent learning that amounts to this quantity and students should note down clearly what is expected in their planners.

Other ways you can help with reading and mathematics
Your child’s literacy and numeracy skills are critical to their long-term development; the importance of daily, personalised practice of reading and mathematics cannot be overstated. Recent studies indicate that when students spend 25 minutes a day reading suitably challenging books, then they will achieve optimal reading age growth. You may not be reading with your child as you did at primary school but you can still support good reading habits. Talk to your child about the books you're both reading. Ask what books your child would like for birthday and Christmas presents. Go to the library together - if your child is stuck for a new author, ask the librarian for guidance or look online at book reviews. You could also take a look at our reading recommendations.

Similarly, students make most progress in maths when they practise little and often. In addition to the work they will be set by their class teacher, all children in years 7 to 11 will receive a login to an online textbook, packed full of practice questions, that will complement their learning in class. Login details for this will be published soon.

Sanctions
Given the importance of independent learning to your child’s education, it is necessary for it to be enforced. If your child fails to complete the independent learning set then they will be sanctioned according to our procedures and you will be contacted. Persistent failure to engage with home learning will lead to a detention with members of the Senior Leadership Team on Friday afternoons.
Picture

Independent Learning 2018-19
​Allocation per fortnight

KS3:
KS4:
English
Maths
Science

Geography
History
French/Spanish
​Design Technology

RE
Computer Science
​Arts
4
4
4
​2
2
2
2
1
1
1
English
Maths
Science

Option C, D, E, F
4
4
4
​2
In Year 7 and 8, independent learning will often consist of an Extended Enquiry for each term. Their independent learning over the course of a number of weeks will contribute to this – with a clear deadline for the completion of the enquiry.
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Homework timetables 2019-20
File Size: 53 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

How to deal with failure to produce independent learning
File Size: 133 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Picture
Thomas Tallis School, Kidbrooke Park Road, London SE3 9PX
T: +44 (0)208 856 0115   F: +44 (0)208 331 3004   E: headteacher@thomastallis.org.uk
  • Home
  • About
    • An Overview >
      • The Leadership Team
      • Who was Thomas Tallis?
      • Why Tallis?
      • School Vision
      • Artsmark
      • Prince's Teaching Institute
      • International School
      • Ofsted
    • School Prospectus
    • Mrs Roberts Writes
    • Tallis Habits >
      • Tallis Pedagogy Wheel Guide
    • Tallis Character
    • Tate Exchange
    • Secondary School Direct Hub
    • The Pupil Premium 2021-22 >
      • The Pupil Premium 2020-21
      • The Pupil Premium 2019-20
      • The Pupil Premium 2018-19
      • The Pupil Premium 2017-18
      • The Pupil Premium 2016-17
      • The Pupil Premium 2014-15
      • The Pupil Premium 2013-14
      • The Pupil Premium 2012-13
      • The Pupil Premium 2011-12
    • Exam Results 2021 >
      • Exam Results 2020
      • Exam Results 2019
      • Exam Results 2018
      • Exam Results 2017
      • Exam Results 2016
      • Exam Results 2015
      • Exam Results 2014
      • Exam Results 2013
      • Exam Results 2012
      • Exam Results 2011
    • COVID-19 Catch-Up Report
    • Early Catch Up 2019/20 and Action Plan 2020/2120 >
      • Early Catch Up 2018/2019 and Action Plan 2019/2020
      • Early Catch Up 2017/2018 and Action Plan 2018/19
      • Early catch-up review and action plan 2017-18
    • Job Vacancies
  • News
    • Tallis Newsletters
    • BBC School Report 2018
    • Tallis Photography
    • Tallis Video
    • Tallis Sounds
  • Calendar
    • The School Day
    • Term Dates 2021-22
    • Term Dates 2022-23
  • Curriculum
    • Curriculum Areas >
      • Business & ICT
      • Computing
      • English & Philosophy
      • Design & Technology
      • Humanities & Social Sciences
      • Languages
      • Mathematics
      • Performing Arts
      • Physical Education
      • Science
      • Visual & Media Arts
    • Pastoral Care
    • Guidance >
      • Tallis Futures
      • PSHCE Bulletins 2020
    • Key Stage 3 >
      • KS3 Assessment guidance
      • Year 8 Arts Choices
      • Tallis Choices
    • Key Stage 4
    • Tallis Post 16
    • Exceptionally Able Learners
    • Special Educational Needs & Disabilities >
      • Learning Support Unit
      • Support Centre for Autism and Language Impairment
      • Deaf Support Centre
      • English as an Additional Language
    • Extra-Curricular Activities
  • Community
    • Letters Home
    • Bromcom Guide for Parents
    • PTFA
    • Governing Board
    • The Tallis Agreement
    • Admissions
    • Attendance & Punctuality >
      • Apply for Exceptional Circumstances Absence in Term Time
    • School Uniform
    • Policies & Guidelines >
      • Data Protection
      • Making Complaints
    • Support Your Teen
    • Online Safety
    • Tallis Post 16
  • Students
    • Year 11 Support & Guidance
    • Bromcom Guide for Students
    • Remote Learning
    • Tallis Clubs
    • Tallis Mentoring
    • JCQ Information for Candidates 2020-21
    • Virtual Assemblies
    • Independent Learning
    • Exam Revision
    • Stay Safe
    • Duke of Edinburgh Award
    • Rewards
    • Reading
    • The Library
    • School Council
    • Cycling at Tallis
    • Alumni
  • Staff
  • Links
  • Contact
    • School Map
    • How to find us
  • Search