Self Study

Self study at Staffordshire University Academy

Guidance

• For Year 7, 8 and 9 your teachers will ask you to complete a task from the ‘Self study task grid’ in the knowledge organiser. These tasks are all linked to revision strategies that you should try in preparation for your GCSE courses.
• To complete your self study task you will use your knowledge organiser in addition to any other information you may wish to research.
• You must keep evidence of all of your tasks to show to your teachers.
• The self study tasks are created in a series of stages, you cannot complete the same task twice for any one subject until  you have tried them all. Therefore throughout the year you will have completed all of the different tasks. Your teacher may request that you complete a task from a certain stage.
• This approach to self study is the minimum you will be doing, your teacher may request an additional piece of work to be completed related to your subject, this must be completed additionally.

How often will self study be set?

• The amount of times you are asked to complete an activity from the task grid depends on how many times you have a subject.

How will this help me?

•  It allows you to have some choice over your own self study tasks throughout Years 7-9.
• It ensures that you begin to practise a range of revision strategies throughout Years 7-9 so that you are more prepared when you complete your GCSE courses and know which strategies work for you.
• It will help improve knowledge of the various subject areas through using your knowledge organiser.

How will the academy support me to complete my self study?

• Self study may be completed at one of our lunchtime clubs
• Your teachers can provide you with  flash cards, paper and highlighters if you require these.
• We will ensure that you have access to a laptop and internet if you need these. Please speak to your form tutor to request this.

Years 10 and 11

Years 10 and 11 students follow their chosen options and, as such, the amount of self study expected will increase. There will be occasions during the year where workload appears greater, particularly near examination periods. Students will be expected to complete self study for all subjects. Most self study tasks should take approximately 30 minutes per subject. Closer to exams all students will be set revision tasks to complete.

Knowledge Organisers

All students in all year groups have been provided with knowledge organisers.  These will be used to support your self study.  Students may be asked to learn a particular section or they may be set questions on information provided in the organiser.  It is expected that students will learn all of the content on each subject’s knowledge organiser each term and they will be tested on this understanding in lessons.

Sixth Form – Years 12 and 13

In the Sixth Form students study 3 or 4 subjects. Level 3 courses are very challenging and require a much greater degree of independent learning/study from students. Self study and/or assignments will be set throughout the academic year. Students should be completing work, outside of lesson time, for between 3 – 5 hours per subject each week. They should also be consolidating their knowledge and revisiting units previously covered even when not directed by teachers.