Home Learning

Home learning supports progress, builds independence, and strengthens links between school, students, and home.

Home Learning at TCA

At Thomas Clarkson Academy, we see home learning as a key part of supporting our students’ progress and readiness for future success. It reinforces classroom learning, builds habits for independent study, and promotes a strong connection between school and home.

Research from the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) highlights that, when set effectively, homework can have a positive impact on learning, particularly at secondary level, by promoting deeper understanding and improving long-term retention of knowledge. With this in mind, our approach to homework is designed to be purposeful, manageable, and aligned with the curriculum to maximise its effectiveness.

How we set Home Learning at TCA KS3

All homework will be set through Edulink, providing students and carers with clear information about the tasks and their deadlines. Teachers will explain the home learning in lessons, and all tasks will be uploaded to Edulink, where parents, carers, and students can access full details, deadlines, and any necessary resources to support completion.

At Key Stage 3, students will complete four hours of home learning per week. Three of these hours will be through our online platforms—Sparx Maths, Sparx Reader, and Sparx Science. The fourth hour will focus on our 'Knowledge is Power' sheets, designed to support mastery of key curriculum content. Students will be tested on their recall of this knowledge during tutor time, helping to embed learning and track progress over time.

Knowledge is Power – This element of home learning should be completed in the exercise books provided to students, using the Knowledge is Power booklets (available to view below). Each sheet contains key questions that highlight the substantive knowledge students need to master in their subjects.

Students have been explicitly taught effective study techniques such as look, cover, write, check and the use of flashcards to support their independent learning. They are expected to use these methods to practise and recall knowledge at home.

To reinforce this, form tutors will carry out weekly knowledge checks during tutor time, helping to ensure students are retaining key information and developing strong independent study habits. This approach supports our goal of helping all students at TCA to know more, remember more and become confident, self-directed learners.

• Sparx Reader supports reading fluency and comprehension by providing students with personalised texts and quizzes to develop vocabulary and subject-specific knowledge.
• Sparx Maths offers tailored maths practice that adapts to each student’s ability level, helping to build confidence and reinforce key mathematical skills.
• Sparx Science delivers interactive science tasks aligned with the curriculum, enabling students to consolidate their understanding through regular retrieval practice.

How we set Home Learning at TCA KS4 & 5

At Key Stage 4 & 5, students will follow a bespoke model of home learning tailored to meet the specific demands of each subject’s curriculum. This ensures that tasks are purposeful, targeted, and support both exam preparation and long-term academic development. All home learning at Key Stage 4 & 5 will also be set via Edulink to maintain consistency and clarity for students and families.

Sixth form students will also use UpLearn as a key part of their home learning and additional study time in school, enabling them to access expertly designed, adaptive content that supports mastery of A Level subjects and prepares them for academic success.

Where required, subjects across all key stages may set additional home learning to meet the specific needs of their curriculum. This will be clearly communicated to students and set on Edulink as normal.

In line with our commitment to promoting student well-being, Physical Education home learning will focus on encouraging students to engage in regular physical activity. We ask that students aim to meet the government recommendation of at least 60 minutes of moderate physical activity per day. This supports both physical and mental health, and forms an essential part of a balanced and healthy lifestyle.