Extended Learning, Assessment & Reporting and Rewards
Extended Learning
Homework is seen by the college as a means by which student learning in lessons can be enhanced, extended and enriched. Its successful completion requires students to develop skills of self-organisation and self-motivation.
Subject teachers set different types of homework; these can be categorised as follows:
- Tasks that practise and consolidate what they have learnt in lessons. For example, if a student has been taught in lessons about how to add fractions, they might be set a homework that requires them to practise this skill.
- Pre learning tasks that require students to prepare for an upcoming lesson. For example, a student in English might be asked to read a chapter of a book prior to a lesson in which the themes of that chapter are explored.
- Tasks that extend and deepen student understanding by asking them independently to explore the topics that they have covered in lessons. If, for example, a student. For example, a student writing an essay on the changing reputation of Oliver Cromwell might be directed to the Wikipedia page of this historical figure.
- Tasks that require students to review and revise prior learning, often in preparation for an assessment. For example s student might be asked to revise key topic vocabulary in French, in preparation for a test the next day.
- Tasks that require students to work independently on an extended project or piece of writing, which once again might be an assessment. For example students might be asked to complete an assessment which has been begun in class about the impact of economic development on the Amazon rainforest.
Homework is set on google classroom; students in years 7 and 8 also record their homework in planners.
Students are not given a homework timetable; they are asked to plan their time so that homework is distributed evenly over the school week. Deadlines are set so that this can occur. By taking responsibility for this aspect of their learning, students develop important skills of independent working.
Parents can support their children in completing homework tasks to a high standard by checking their child's planner or google class page regularly, and by discussing their homework with them. It is also helpful if parents/carers provide a quiet working place and a routine each day to allow time for homework.
Other ways in which you can support your child with homework are:
- Asking students to explain in their own words what the homework task is and how to tackle it.
- Checking that the task in the student organiser has been clearly written down.
- Checking that students are organised, with everything they need to complete the task.
- Encouraging students by asking questions, by testing on a learning homework, by listening and by praising their child for taking pride in their work.
- Using the student planner to communicate with student's Form Teacher, or using e mail where they do not have a student planner.
Assessment & Learning
Students’ work is regularly assessed in all subjects; internal examinations are held in Years 10 and 11.
All faculties follow a common framework for assessing students’ learning and providing feedback. Oral and written feedback recognise what has been achieved and indicate how further progress can be made. Students are encouraged to reflect on their assessments, to engage in peer and self-assessment, and to take increasing ownership for their learning.
Each faculty updates their assessment data at least once per term, together with information regarding effort, behaviour, homework and organisation. Parents are sent two progress checks per year. These reports summarise progress against targets in each subject and give grades for effort behaviour, homework and organisation. In addition to the progress checks, a full report is also produced each year. The full report summarises progress against targets in each subjects and also contains an overall comment from the form tutor.
However, our main way to report is through our parental intranet; this gives parents an up to date, live report.
Statutory assessment information is available to parents throughout the year via BVC Parental Remote Access. Through this system, we offer a dynamic live output of current levels/anticipated grades against targets in each subject. This facility also gives the opportunity for parents and carers to contact subject or form teachers directly and to monitor all key data regarding their sons/daughters.
House System & Rewards
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We have recently launched a House System at the college, which has been tremendously successful for a range of reasons:
- Giving the students a chance to involve themselves in a range of activities during Enrichment Day;
- For students to compete in different events, especially The House Games, taking place at the end of the Summer Term;For students to work with peers from a range of year groups;
- For students to be rewarded through The House Points system for a range of reasons, including the quality of their academic work.
- Students are issued with a house badge, attend house assemblies and have a member of staff as their house ambassador.
All the college staff is committed to recognising and celebrating the achievements of all our students. We are here to encourage self-belief in our students so they strive to be the best that they can be. Our system of house points intends to acknowledge success, to motivate students to do their best and to share their successes with parents/carers.
Students are motivated when:
- there are good positive relationships between students and teachers ;
- students enjoy what they are doing and understand why they are doing it ;
- students are given choices in the way they do things ;
- their goals are clear and they know how to achieve them ;
- their positive achievements are recognised.
Teachers will administer either 1 or 2 rewards points to students using the criteria below. Teachers may decide to award a faculty certificate for truly outstanding work. Students will receive 3 points for this reward in the first instance, five for the second, and seven thereafter.
| Level 1 Reward (1 point) |
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| Level 2 Reward (2 points) |
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| Level 3 Reward (3 points) |
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Automated Rewards
Students will receive additional reward points for excellent attendance and no negative behaviour entries.
| 100% attendance over 4 weeks, cumulative over the year e.g. 1 point first, 2 second, 3 next and thereafter. | 1 point |
| No negative behaviour entries over 4 weeks, cumulative over the year e.g. 1 point first, 2 second, 3 next and thereafter | 1 point |
Markers for Success
As students accumulate points through teacher administration and automated point scoring they will be able to view the current point score via the intranet and remote access.
Students will move through the threshold levels which will also be visible via the intranet.
Students and Parent/Carers will receive an electronic certificate every time they move to a higher level.