Homework, Assessment and Reporting

At Hailsham Academy Secondary Phase, we believe that effective homework, clear reporting, and meaningful assessment play an important role in helping every student to progress and achieve.

We are committed to providing students and families with clear information about progress, attainment and the learning behaviours that support success both in school and beyond.

Homework

Homework is an important part of learning and helps students to develop independent study habits, consolidate knowledge and extend their understanding beyond the classroom.

We recognise that students also benefit from a wide range of activities and experiences outside school. Our approach to homework is therefore designed to be purposeful, manageable and relevant, whilst encouraging responsibility, self-motivation and independent learning.

Homework may include:

Retrieval and revision activities
Independent reading and research
Extended written tasks
Preparation for assessments
Online learning activities
Coursework and examination preparation where appropriate

All homework is recorded on MCAS, enabling students and families to view tasks, deadlines and teacher feedback in one place.

If you have any questions about homework, please contact the relevant subject teacher. For technical support with MCAS, please contact the school office.

For further details, please refer to our Homework Policy in the Policies section of our website.

Homework Expectations

Students will receive regular homework designed to reinforce classroom learning, develop independent study skills and encourage wider reading and research.

Homework becomes increasingly focused on examination preparation, retrieval practice, revision and independent learning to support GCSE success.

Reporting and Assessment

Reporting helps students, parents and carers understand both academic progress and the learning behaviours that contribute to success.

Throughout the academic year, students receive reports that provide information about their attainment, progress and attitude to learning.

Attitude to Learning

We want all students to develop the attitudes and learning behaviours that will help them to succeed, both in school and beyond.

Our Attitude to Learning (ATL) framework helps students, families and school staff understand how each student approaches their learning. It is separate from academic attainment and is not a judgement of a student's ability or personality.

Teachers make a best-fit judgement based on a student's typical approach to learning over time. This considers the learning behaviours that support success, including:

Engagement and participation
Resilience and perseverance
Responding positively to feedback
Commitment to learning
Developing independence and responsibility

These behaviours are closely linked to our MARK values: Motivated, Articulate, Resilient and Knowledgeable.

How is Attitude to Learning reported?

Students' attitude to learning is assessed using five categories:

Attitude to Learning Descriptors

Meeting Expectations is a positive judgement. It means that a student is consistently demonstrating the attitudes and learning behaviours we expect. Exceeding Expectations is reserved for students who consistently go beyond these expectations.

Reports also include a separate judgement about a student's attitude to homework and independent study.

Parents and carers see these descriptive categories on reports rather than numerical scores. This helps to make ATL clearly distinct from academic grades and provides more meaningful information about a student's approach to learning.

Where a student's ATL is a Cause for Concern, this indicates a significant concern. We aim to communicate concerns early and work in partnership with students and families to provide appropriate support.

Our aim is for ATL reporting to help students recognise what they are doing well and understand the next steps they can take to become even more successful and independent learners.

MARK Attitude to Learning Descriptors

Assessment

Assessment is an integral part of teaching and learning. It helps teachers identify strengths, address misconceptions and plan the next steps in learning.

Students are assessed regularly throughout the year using a range of methods, which may include:

Classwork and teacher assessment
Knowledge checks and quizzes
Practical assessments
Coursework and controlled assessments (where applicable)
Internal examinations and formal assessments

Assessment information supports our reporting process and helps students understand their progress and areas for development.

Reports

Parents and carers receive regular reports throughout the academic year.

These reports may include:

Attitude to Learning (ATL)
Attitude to Homework/Independent Study
Attainment information
Information relating to examination courses and progress

Reports can be viewed and downloaded through MCAS.

Further information

If you would like further information about homework, reporting or assessment, please contact your child's Head of Year or the school office.

For full details of our approach, please refer to the relevant policies available in the Policies section of our website.