At Cardinal Wiseman Catholic School, the key aim of Independent Learning is to support pupil achievement and progress. Independent Learning is designed and set to enable pupils to consolidate their learning and encourage them to know more and remember more. Independent learning is completed primarily using online digital platforms through chromebooks.

What digital platforms do we use?

Independent Learning is completed via a number of different Digital Platforms such as  Century, Seneca, Brainscape, GCSEpod.

AI-powered personalised teaching and learning for KS3 and GCSE. Diagnostic quizzes and resources instantly spot and plug gaps in knowledge and provide data insights for timely, targeted interventions. Parent information page

Seneca's online platform can be thought of as an effective & engaging interactive learning and revision guide that can be used for free forever! Pupils can use the platform to study independently or complete assignments set by their teachers. Summaries, notes, videos and lots of different types of practice questions are all found on the Seneca platform. The system is also completely adaptive, so each pupil’s learning experience will be tailored to suit their individual needs. Parents FAQs

Brainscape is an online flashcard app - available across a number of different devices. Pupils are able to create their own flashcards or use existing public access cards as a quick reference tool. Brainscape's online flashcards optimise studying, by repeating harder concepts in the perfect interval for maximum memory retention. Parent information page

GCSEpod is an effective revision tool that allows you to revise anywhere you have access to technology through videos, quizzes, workbooks and exam questions. Parent information page

Pupils start each day completing 30 minutes of Sparx online maths. Sparx maths supports students with personalised, challenging and attainable homework. The practice is challenging, to ensure pupils need to think and achievable so that pupils can be successful. The use of spaced repetition and interleaving supports a change in long-term memory. Parent information page

What should pupils be doing each week?

Pupils are expected to complete independent learning using the following digital platforms each week:

How is independent work monitored and rewarded?

Homework completion is monitored each week by Subject teachers who will award rewards such as merits, positive logs and certificates.

What support is available?

Pupils requiring support can speak with subject teachers or can attend the SEND hub after school if they would like support in completing their Independent learning.

What staff and pupils say about digital learning

“Seneca has been a really great tool for ensuring the pupils are able to recall the powerful knowledge they have learned in History” Mrs Ridgeway, Head of Humanities.

“ Century is a really useful tool for Science as it allows us to spot the gaps in pupils’ knowledge and areas of misconception. Class teachers can then address this with pupils” Miss Monk, Head of Science

“Seneca Premium helps KS3 pupils progress by consolidating in-class learning. It provides students with a summary of important information and tests this knowledge via a short comprehension quiz. Century helps KS4 pupils to learn by revising key content taught in class. Teachers can easily monitor how pupils are doing and therefore, this allows teachers to intervene sooner.” Mr Hanley, Head of English

“Sparx maths allows pupils to improve through independent study. Each question has a video to match so pupils always have help available. Studies conducted by Sparx across the UK found that when pupils use Sparx Maths for four hours per week, on average across the year, it helps increase their predicted GCSE maths results by one grade” Miss Butlin, Head of Maths

“Online platforms are very useful with Geography as it allows pupils to recap prior learning through the use of Century and Seneca. It allows teachers to identify gaps within knowledge and address this with pupils” Mrs Biddle, Head of Geography

“Digital platforms such as Sparx and Century are easily accessible and allow me not only to complete set tasks, but also to do extra independent learning. Both Sparx and Century have a massive question bank you can tap into anytime and this can make it more interactive and enjoyable than studying on paper” Sam, Year 10 pupil

“It has made learning easier and more accessible to all. Online learning is quicker and smoother” Kavanagh Year 11 pupil

“4 academic years without a chromebook and I didn't do much Sparx or any online work because I either didn't have the resources or the time. But having a chromebook has allowed me to get my work done on time and even get extra done” Joshua Year 11 pupil

“Sparx helps me improve my maths skills, recapping what I am learning in my maths lessons.” Lucy, Year 8 pupil