High Expectations

Teaching and Learning is at the heart of everything we do alongside the belief that every child can achieve no matter their barriers. We have a very firm no excuses culture and have the highest expectations of our young people and our staff. As a result, our students are encouraged to think hard in every lesson and regular feedback is provided to students. This allows them to recognise how they can improve, giving them the opportunity to not only reach, but surpass their potential. Ernesford is a very collaborative, supportive and inclusive school and it is our wonderful staff who drive the culture of belief in the young people and what they can achieve.

Curriculum & Homework

Our curriculum is delivered in a very consistent way using a four part lesson structure. Pupils are expected to engage in home learning which cements the essential building blocks of knowledge and key concepts in each subject discipline. 

Homework at KS3

For our students in Years 7-9, there are quiz style homeworks that are set once a week (some practical subjects such as Art, may set practical homework). These are designed to build upon the skills and knowledge learnt during lesson, consequently, helping to embed these into their long term memory. These could take the form of a Google Form quiz or Sparx Maths for example.

Homework at KS4

Homework for students in years 10 and 11, is also designed to support with embedding key knowledge and skills, and therefore takes the form of revision style tasks. These are set once a week (teachers may choose to set more if applicable to the subject, for example if they are revising for an assessment) and encourage students to build their independence and consolidate what they have been taught in school.

Homework at KS5

Our students in years 12 and 13, follow a four weekly cycle.

Week 1 – Self or peer marked exam style question

Week 2 – Teacher marked exam style question

Week 3 – Revision for exam style assessment

Week 4 –  Exam style assessment

This cycle further builds upon key stages 3 and 4, as it prepares students to feel confident when sitting exams, whilst also developing their wider skills of independence and working towards goals.

Wider Discipline

In order to reach our vision of ‘Excellence For All’, we have a  relentless drive to improve literacy and we place emphasis upon reading and oracy across the curriculum. This focus supports students to become confident communicators who are able to leave school being able to articulate themselves with clarity and confidence. Developing pupils’ classroom confidence is central to our philosophy of teaching and learning in which we strive to make progress tangible and success achievable in every lesson for all pupils regardless of their starting point