Independent Study

What is Independent Study? 

Independent study is learning, that is set to be done outside the timetabled curriculum and is not usually directly supervised by a teacher. Independent study enhances student learning, improves achievement and develops students' study skills and as such is an integral part of the curriculum. 

Research shows that independent study has a positive impact on student progress. At MEA we believe independent study is an essential part of learning and expect all our students to engage with it in a positive way. 

Aims of Independent Study 

• Independent study enables students to: 
• Embed crucial knowledge in to their long term memory. 
• Build a greater knowledge base to which new learning can be anchored. 
• Take ownership and responsibility for their learning. 
• Enhance their study skills e.g. planning, time management and self-discipline. 

Independent Study Timetable 

Students in Years 7, 8 and 9 should spend approximately 1 hour each evening completing Independent Study. This increases to 2 hours per evening for students in Years 10 and 11. 

Please see below for recommended quantity and frequency of independent learning in Year 11: 

Subject	Frequency	Duration	Type
English	Weekly	60 mins	GCSE Pod + written task
Maths	Weekly	60 mins	Sparx + Written paper
Science	Weekly	60 mins	GCSE Pod
History or Geography	Weekly	60 mins	Booklet/ GCSE pod
Options:	Weekly	60 mins
Spanish	Weekly	60 mins	Exampro questions Listening , Reading and either writing or speaking prep
Business Studies	Weekly	60 mins	Exam questions/GCSE Pod
Art	Weekly	60 mins	Work on portfolio - complete class activities
Textiles	Weekly	60 mins	Work on portfolio - complete class activities
Food	Weekly	60 mins	Catch up work on Onedrive
Music	Weekly	60 mins	Work on portfolio
Computer Science	Weekly	60 mins	Exam questions/GCSE Pod
Sport	Weekly	60 mins	1 paragraph per week of course work on paper
Enterprise	Weekly	60 mins	Assignment work on One Drive
Health and social	Weekly	60 mins	Booklets
Travel and tourism	Weekly	60 mins	Individual tasks relevant to lessons
iMedia	Weekly	60 mins	Assignment work
Hair and Beauty	Weekly	60 mins	Booklets
Performing Arts	Weekly	60 mins	Work on portfolio

Revision Guides 

Curriculum areas will provide detailed knowledge resources for students to keep at home, for example, revision guides or booklets. 

Independent study is set regularly and is based on the content of the revision material. This will be a combination of retrieval practice and exam practice. 

Teachers will report on Independent Study completion half termly; this will be communicated to parents alongside Attitude to Learning within the classroom. 

Students can access support with their Independent Study as part of our MEA Xtras (extra-curricular) provision each evening after school in the Library. 

How can parents and carers help with Independent Study? 

Parents and carers can support students by viewing independent study as an important part of their learning, by discussing Independent Study with them and encouraging them to be organised in completing it. Providing a quiet area at home for students to study in is also very helpful.