The Howard School supports the concept of independent study, also known as homework. Independent study refers to tasks given to learners by their teachers to be completed outside of their timetabled lessons, including the Howard Independent Study Club and Independent Study Periods of KS5 students, where applicable.

According to the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF), the impact of homework can be an additional 4-8 months of progress for secondary students. Independent study at The Howard School includes, but isn’t limited to:

• Study skills worksheets
• Reading/research in preparation for the next lesson
• Reading/research (for consolidation or extension)
• Retrieval tasks
• Deliberate practise of questions and problem solving
• Extended writing/essay writing

Independent Study for Key Stage 3 students

Independent Study for Key Stage 4 students

Students studying their GCSEs and other Level 2 qualifications will be set homework daily from their subjects. Each student will follow an independent study timetable for the band they are in. Students are provided with personalised versions of the independent study timetables to support with organisation. The independent study timetables can be viewed in the section below.