Home Learning

Home learning is an integral part of the learning process at Fairfield High School. Evidence shows that the impact of Home Learning, on average, is five months’ additional progress (Education Endowment Foundation Teaching Learning Toolkit, 2018). It is a powerful tool for extending the range and depth of a pupil’s knowledge, as well as developing organisational skills, self-motivation and resilience. Effective home learning helps pupils to consolidate their knowledge of the curriculum, provides stretch and challenge to all pupils, supports long-term memory and promotes independent learning.

The purpose of Home Learning at Fairfield High School for Girls is to:

  • deliver the highest quality of education possible by enhancing the Fairfield curriculum; 
  • improve the pupils’ long-term memory of the curriculum;  
  • provide opportunities for independent practice, reading, research for all pupils; 
  • provide opportunities to pupils to revise for exams and summative assessments. 

Haldor Homework

Home learning tasks for pupils are set within Microsoft Teams using the ‘assignments’ function. Fairfield subscribes to Haldor Homework which allows parents and carers to see the home learning assignments set within Microsoft Teams. This will help parents and carers to support in managing the completion of home learning assignments each week. Haldor Homework lets you keep track of when home learning assignments are set and due and view the full instructions and resources provided. Pupils will continue to access their home learning assignments through Microsoft Teams.

To log-in to Haldor Homework, please click here.

To change your Haldor Homework password, please click here.

Please see these instructions on how to use Haldor Homework as a parent for the first time.

Haldor Instructions


Learning Websites

To support independent learning, pupils at Fairfield have access to a range of learning websites. The document below highlights the main websites that can be used for home learning, revision or independent learning.

Learning Websites


REMOTE LEARNING

In the rare event that school must close, remote learning will be delivered asynchronously through Microsoft Teams. Teachers will use the Assignments feature to share lessons, resources, and activities.

Pupils will follow their usual school timetable to help maintain routine and continuity. Remote education is intended as a short‑term solution to ensure pupils remain engaged, supported, and making progress until they can return to the classroom.

All work provided will be purposeful, challenging, and aligned with the curriculum taught in school. We will work closely with pupils and families to support access to learning, remove any barriers, and review arrangements regularly so that every pupil can return to face‑to‑face education as soon as possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

Tasks fall into three main categories: reading, revision and practice. They may reinforce current lessons, revisit previous learning or develop a separate area of knowledge or skill. Teachers explain what pupils need to do and what successful work should look like.

All tasks are set through Assignments in Microsoft Teams, with written instructions, deadlines and any resources needed. Pupils are also expected to record home learning in their Weekly Planner.

Parents and carers should use Haldor Homework, or check their child’s Microsoft Teams account with them, to keep track of tasks and deadlines.

The usual expectations are:

Subject Frequency Expected time per week
Mathematics, English and Science Once a week 30–60 minutes
Modern Foreign Languages Once a week 30 minutes
Geography and History Once a fortnight 30 minutes
Religious Studies, Art, Music, Drama, Computer Science, PE, Technology and PHSE Once every three weeks or a larger half-termly task 30–60 minutes for a three-weekly task; 60–90 minutes for a half-termly task

Subjects may adjust the length and frequency to suit the learning. For example, English might set a one-hour task each fortnight, Computer Science a ten-minute weekly task, or PE a half-termly project.

 

 

All subjects, except Core PE and PHSE, are expected to set home learning each week.

  • Mathematics, English and Science: 60-90 minutes per week
  • Other option subjects: 30-60 minutes per week

Teachers set clear deadlines and will not set a task for completion the following day. This gives pupils time to organise their workload around other commitments. For longer projects, teachers explain how pupils should spread out the work and check progress along the way.

Pupils should ask their subject teacher for clarification or support as soon as possible, ideally when the task is explained. Teachers provide time for questions and explain the expected standard, presentation and length of the work. If your child is struggling, encourage them to seek help before the deadline.

Pupils with special educational needs and disabilities may receive additional support and reasonable adjustments to help them understand and complete tasks. Expectations will take account of their Education, Health and Care Plan, where applicable, and their Individual Support Plan. Staff work with parents and carers to identify appropriate support. Further help is available at lunchtime in Student Support and at Homework Club after school.

Pupils should not be disadvantaged by limited access to technology. Computer facilities are available in school. Please let the subject teacher know if access is a difficulty. Where pupils cannot access the necessary technology at home or in school, teachers may provide an alternative task.

You can help by:

  • Checking Haldor Homework or Microsoft Teams regularly.
  • Helping your child plan when to complete tasks around hobbies and other commitments.
  • Providing a suitable place to work, where possible.
  • Encouraging your child to ask for help when needed.
  • Supporting the school’s arrangements for completing missed work.
Stage Response
First incomplete task A ten-minute detention with the subject teacher.
Second incomplete task, including missing a further deadline for the same work A further ten-minute detention with the subject teacher.
Third incomplete task A 30-minute after-school detention from 2:45–3:15pm, providing an opportunity to complete the work
Further incomplete tasks A 30-minute detention or Home Learning Support session.