Home Learning
Our approach to home learning
At Brighton Hill Community School, home learning is an important extension of classroom learning. It is designed to help students consolidate knowledge, develop study habits, and build independence, while remaining purposeful, manageable and accessible for all.
Home learning is not an ‘add on’. Tasks are carefully planned so that they:
- reinforce learning that has already taken place in lessons, or prepare students for upcoming learning
- support curriculum knowledge and exam success
- encourage responsibility, organisation and self-discipline
- enable parents and carers to positively support learning at home
How much home learning should students expect?
As a broad guide:
- Years 7–8: around 45–60 minutes per evening (including self-guided study)
- Years 9–11: around 60–90 minutes per evening (including self-guided study)
The length and frequency of tasks vary by subject. Faculties may choose to set:
- shorter, more frequent retrieval or practice tasks, or
- longer tasks spread over several evenings
This ensures home learning remains appropriate to the subject and the age of the students.
What does home learning look like?
Across the school, home learning may include:
- retrieval practice and self-quizzing
- practice of key skills
- preparation or research for new topics (including flipped learning)
- revision and exam practice
- extended, creative or competition-based tasks
Most home learning is set through Microsoft Teams, with subject-specific platforms such as Century, Seneca, Everlearner and others used where appropriate. Parents and carers are able to view tasks online.
Supporting students to succeed
We are committed to ensuring that home learning is accessible to all students:
- Tasks are designed so that students can complete them independently, without significant adult input
- Clear guidance is given about what to do and how long tasks should take
- Additional support is available through the SEND Home Learning Support Club and subject-specific support sessions
Year 7 students are given additional transition support at the start of the year, including a ‘Setting Up for Success’ booklet and a gradual introduction to subject home learning during the Autumn term.
Roles and responsibilities
Students
- Complete home learning on time and to the best of their ability
- Plan their time effectively
- Use active strategies such as self-quizzing
- Seek help from teachers if they are unsure
Parents and carers
- Encourage routines and positive study habits
- Talk regularly with their child about home learning
- Support independence rather than completing work for students
- Check Teams assignments where possible
Staff
- Set purposeful, high-quality home learning linked directly to classroom learning
- Communicate tasks clearly and publish them on Teams
- Monitor completion and provide appropriate feedback or follow-up
If home learning is not completed
We understand that difficulties can arise. Where home learning is not completed, staff will:
- communicate with parents and carers
- provide opportunities for catch-up or re-testing where appropriate
- work with students and families to remove barriers and support success
Sanctions are not used for missed home learning alone; the focus is on closing gaps in knowledge and helping students get back on track.
Working with parents, carers and staff
During Term 1 of the 2025/26 academic year, we carried out consultation with parents, carers and staff to review how home learning works in practice. Feedback focused on workload balance, clarity of expectations and accessibility.
This feedback is informing refinements that will be reflected in the 2026/27 Home Learning Policy, ensuring our approach continues to meet the needs of our school community.
Full Home Learning Policy
This page provides a summary of our approach. Detailed, subject-specific expectations and full guidance can be found in the Home Learning Policy, including faculty appendices.
👉 [Read the full Home Learning Policy here]
BHCS Key E-Learning Platforms Used for Home Learning
Century Tech
At our school, we are committed to ensuring every student receives the support and challenge they need to thrive. To further enhance learning both in school and at home, we use Century Tech, an innovative online learning platform designed to personalise learning for each child.
Century Tech uses artificial intelligence to adapt to your child’s strengths, gaps and pace of learning. As students complete tasks, the platform builds a detailed picture of their understanding and automatically recommends the next best activities to support progress.
Through Century Tech, students benefit from:
• Personalised pathways tailored to individual needs
• Engaging, interactive learning materials
• Immediate feedback to support independent learning
• Opportunities to revisit areas of difficulty and deepen understanding
For parents, Century Tech offers reassurance that learning is targeted and meaningful. You can support your child by encouraging regular use of the platform, celebrating their progress and ensuring they complete recommended pathways.
Teachers use the data provided by Century Tech to monitor progress, identify misconceptions quickly and plan teaching that responds to the needs of every learner.
Access to Century Tech is available at home, enabling students to extend their learning beyond the classroom in a structured and supportive way.
If you have any questions about Century Tech or how your child is using it, please do not hesitate to contact the school. We look forward to working in partnership with you to support your child’s success.
For Parents
Introducing Century Tech to parents, who they, what they do, how your child interacts, how you can interact to support your child's progress.
For Students
Understanding how to use Century for Home Learning for English, Maths and Science from a student perspective.
Seneca
Smart Revision and Retrieval Practice for Students
Seneca uses research-informed approaches, including spaced practice and low-stakes quizzing, to help students strengthen their memory and recall key knowledge more effectively. The platform regularly revisits topics to ensure learning ‘sticks’ over time.
Through Seneca, students benefit from:
• Short, focused learning activities that fit easily into home study routines
• Interactive questions with instant feedback
• Retrieval practice to strengthen long-term memory
• Opportunities to revisit and secure prior learning
Seneca adapts to students' responses, providing additional practice on areas they find more challenging while supporting continued progress through the curriculum.
For parents, Seneca provides reassurance that home learning is purposeful and based on proven learning science. You can support your child by encouraging them to complete assigned courses regularly and to use the platform for independent revision.
Teachers can track student engagement and performance, allowing them to identify strengths and areas for development, and to support students more effectively in lessons.
Seneca is accessible from home on a range of devices, making it a flexible and convenient way for students to embed their knowledge and prepare for assessments.
If you have any questions about Seneca or how your child is using it, please do not hesitate to contact the school. We look forward to continuing to work in partnership with you to support your child’s learning and success.
EverLearner
Structured Support for Knowledge and Exam Success
EverLearner provides high-quality, curriculum-aligned resources including clear explanations, model answers and structured revision materials. It is particularly valuable in helping students understand what successful work looks like and how to improve their own responses.
Through EverLearner, students benefit from:
• Expertly designed revision resources and model responses
• Clear guidance on how to structure high-quality answers
• Support with independent study and exam preparation
• Opportunities to revisit key content and strengthen understanding
The platform is especially useful when preparing for assessments, helping students to build confidence and develop effective study habits over time.
For parents, EverLearner provides reassurance that students are accessing high-quality materials that reinforce classroom learning. You can support your child by encouraging regular engagement with set tasks and using the platform to guide revision.
Teachers use EverLearner to supplement classroom teaching, set targeted work and support students in developing the skills required for success in assessments.
EverLearner can be accessed at home on a range of devices, allowing students to study flexibly and revisit learning at their own pace.
If you have any questions about EverLearner or how your child is using it, please do not hesitate to contact the school. We look forward to working in partnership with you to support your child’s progress and achievement.
