Bedford Academy’s approach to extended learning takes account of the additional learning hours in the Academy’s formal teaching week and the Enrichment programme.
We acknowledge that:
• Students that take part in additional study support activities outside of their normal learning get better GCSE results than their peers of equal ability who do not participate, scoring an average of 3.5 grades more on their best five GCSE results and they gain one more A*-C pass (Source: National Youth Agency & University of Strathclyde);
• As students progress through the Academy, they are increasingly expected to learn effectively on their own, managing their own study time by 6th form.
Extended Learning at Bedford Academy is:
• Given on a flexible schedule as determined by the Director of Learning for each course studied;
• Only given when it truly enhances the learning of students;
• Focused on the quality, not quantity, of the extended learning task;
• Given to individual students by their teachers if the student has been absent or is falling behind with their learning;
• Able to be completed in the Independent Learning Centre (ILC), during Enrichment time or at Breakfast Club (weekdays 7.30am – 8.20am);
• A specific, well explained task or project with a fair deadline made clear to students;
• Recorded in detail by students in their planners;
• Also able to be formed through attendance at a particular Enrichment activity, intervention or revision session;
• Considerate of students’ interests and abilities;
• Found in a variety of forms and may not be written;
• Assessed in an appropriate form and feedback is given to the student;
• Formally monitored and reviewed by senior staff for effectiveness.