Parents/guardians frequently ask us what they can do to support the learning and progress of their son/daughter.
The following tips offer some general advice to parents/guardians in response to this question.

​

Supporting Your Child

​

• Take steps to assist your son/daughter with his/her personal organisation. Ask to see your son/daughter's daily timetable and ensure that he/she brings the correct books, materials and equipment to school each day.

• Check your son/daughter's Student Planner on a daily basis. Make sure that he/she is recording all homework set in school each day and completing homework tasks by the given deadline.

• Make sure that your son/daughter is spending the recommended time on homework tasks and independent revision each evening. This is essential to consolidate his/her classroom learning.

• Make sure that your son/daughter has a designated study area in the home that is free from distraction and interruption.

• Encourage your son/daughter to make use of the school's facilities and resources to support their learning, including the Grainger Centre after school facilities and extra academic support offered by subject staff.

• Show an interest in your son/daughter's learning and progress. Find time each day to talk to him/her about his/her experience of school and learning.

• Ensure that your son/daughter revises thoroughly and prepares fully for all assessments, including Common Assessments and examinations.

• Use the pupil planner and the examination timetables (internal and external) provided by the school to ensure that you are aware of key assessment dates.

• In advance of key examination periods, work with your son/daughter to plan a revision schedule and insist that he/she follows this plan.

• Encourage your son/daughter to take responsibility for his/her learning and emphasize the importance of him/her developing as an independent learner.

• Check your son/daughter's Tracking Progress on a regular basis for information on your son/daughter's assessment results.

• Encourage your son/daughter to talk about his/her strengths. Praise and reward your son/daughter for his/her successes and achievements.

• Encourage your son/daughter to talk about any difficulties he/she is experiencing with his/her learning. Motivate and support your son/daughter to persevere and work hard to overcome any difficulties he/she is experiencing with learning.

• Be aware of your son/daughter's preferred learning style and encourage him/her to use revision strategies that are most effective for him/her.

• Make sure that your son/daughter is maintaining a healthy and balanced lifestyle. Ensure that he/she is eating properly, taking regular exercise and getting enough sleep, whilst simultaneously fulfilling study commitments.

• Look out for signs of stress in your son/daughter and talk to him/her about ways by which he/she may manage stress.

• Encourage your son/daughter to get involved in extra-curricular events and activities in school to help him/her to develop personal and social skills.

• Be careful that your son/daughter is not trying to juggle too many commitments outside school. If out of school activities are generating too much stress for your son/daughter, interfering with school work and limiting the amount of time your son/daughter has to relax, it may be worth reassessing the importance of certain activities at that particular stage of your son/daughter's life.

• Ensure that you are aware of the challenges associated with the transition between each Key Stage and support your son/daughter at key transition stages.

• Discuss your son/daughter's future education and career plans/aspirations with him/her on a regular basis. Ensure that your son/daughter has set him/herself realistic goals and keep him/her focused on achieving these goals.

• Work in partnership with the school to secure the best outcomes for your son/daughter. For example, support the work of teachers and the school by attending Parent Information Evenings and Key Stage Information Evenings.

• Set high expectations for your son/daughter's conduct and effort in school. Make sure that he/she is aware of the sanctions that will be applied in the home for poor conduct and effort.

• Ensure that your son/daughter attends school every day. If your son/daughter is unable to attend school due to exceptional circumstances, make sure that he/she completes any work missed during his/her absence.

• Ensure that your son/daughter arrives to school punctually each day and encourage him/her to arrive punctually to each lesson.

• Avoid making appointments for your son/daughter during the school day.

• Book family holidays outside of term time - your son/daughter should not be absent from school for holidays.

• In the case of older pupils, ensure that part-time jobs and social activities do not interfere with school commitments.

​

​