1. Year 11 Independent Learning Support
“Independent learning is pupils having an understanding of their learning; being motivated to take responsibility for their learning; and working with teachers to structure their learning environment.” (DFSC).

2. ‘Consistent actions create consistent results’
Independent Learning
‘Consistent actions create consistent results’
It is our intention that in year 11 we encourage our students to go ‘above and beyond’ to exceed their own expectations and the expectations of others. We encourage independence and consistency in our approach to learning, with the hope that students achieve consistent results that they can be proud of.
Consequently, as a school we are looking to promote and develop the skills needed to become a successful independent learner. Evidence suggests that independent learning has many benefits, including improved academic performance, enhanced confidence and increased self motivation. These are all highly desirable characteristics for further education and employers alike.
It is crucial that students have the opportunities to learn and develop their knowledge at their own pace and it is our job to provide them with the foundations to do so. It is with this in mind that we have created this booklet to empower parents and students by providing the resources and opportunities to test their own learning outside the classroom. This in turn will help them to develop a true understanding of their subjects.
We hope that you can support us in encouraging your child to take full advantage of the opportunities provided and highlight the benefits of dedicating even just a little extra time each week to focus on the areas they feel less confident in.

3. Independent Learning Activities: The 3 Phases of Practice
Reading through class notes
Watching online video and accessing relevant websites
Reading through course text books
Making mind-maps, diagrams and graphic organisers
Making and remaking class notes
Highlighting and colour coding information/notes/books.
Creating flashcards to cover what you have learned
Completing revision walls to display your learning
Writing under exam conditions
Reading through model answers
Planning responses to past questions
Making your own mark schemes
Study mark schemes or examiners’ reports
Working with other pupils in groups/pairs to
compare work
Comparing model answers against your own work
Creating your own exam questions
Handing in extra exam work for marking
One-to-on discussions with teachers or tutors
Phase 1 (content):
use to memorise information.
Good practice is more than memorisation.
Phase 2 (skill):
Test yourself against the demands of the exam
Focus on the things you don’t know. Not what you already do.
Phase 3 (feedback):
Check the quality of activities in phase 2.
Identify areas of weakness.

4. Independent learning opportunities at Nottingham Academy
Revision Timetable
Subject
Teacher
Room
Time
Maths
Ms Buxton
Ms Bird
Mr Gordon
Ms Briggs
B164
B166
B105
B104
Lunch – Every day
After school – Tues, Weds & Thurs
After school – Thurs
English
Ms Imtiaz
Ms Wedderburn
B153
B131
After school – Wednesday &Thursday
Science
Sci – Ezy
Ed HW
Rotation
Science Corridor
B102
B103
After school – Wednesday
After school - Fridays
French
Spanish
Ms Gangneux
Ms Geary
Mr Bollati
A168
Lunch – Monday & Tuesday
Lunch - Friday
Sport
Ms Beldham
B157
After school - Tuesday
Geography
Mr Sturtivant
A182
After School - Tuesday
History
Mr Loscalzo
A143
Lunch – Wednesday

5. Independent learning opportunities at Nottingham Academy
Revision Timetable
Subject
Teacher
Room
Time
Food
Ms Johnson
A158
After School - Wednesday
Business
Ms Davis
A180
Lunch – Tuesday & Wednesday
After School Tuesday & Wednesday
Media
Ms Griffiths
A179
After School - Thursday
Urdu
Mr Khan
Mr Arif
B128
Lunchtime: Wednesday
Afterschool: Thursday
Tuesday
Health & Social
Ms Cupit
A167
After school: Wednesday
Tuesday (After Christmas) RE
Ms Khan
A142
After school: Friday
Art
Mr Newall
B159
After School – Wednesday & Thursday
Psychology
Ms Smikle
A173
Music composition
Ms Watson
B117

6. Art Key information Exam board AQA Topics
Natural Form (artist research, observational drawing and developing ideas)
Specification:
Independent learning
It is the students responsibility to organise their time, identify areas to improve and set themselves related task to improve skills and knowledge. However, homework will be set once a week to support this.
Revision/ catch up sessions
After School – Wednesday & Thursday
Revision books
Sketchbooks given to students for free. Students able to work at home.
Past exam papers and mark schemes
Useful websites

7. Business Key information Exam board Edexcel Topics Topics to cover
Unit 1 – Enterprise in the Business World (Year 10)
Unit 2 – Finance for business exam in (Year 11)
Unit 3- Promoting a brand (Year 10)
Unit 6 – Introducing retail business- (Year 11)
Specification:
Independent learning
Weekly for students to complete their coursework to the deadlines. Support is available for them to do this.
Students can access Moodle from home where they can improve coursework and upload onto the system link:-
Revision & catch up sessions
Lunch – Tuesday & Wednesday
After School Tuesday & Wednesday
Revision books
Students have the opportunity to buy revision books for unit 2 in year 11 at a cost of £3.00.
Past exam papers and mark schemes
Useful websites

8. (Certificate in Digital Applications)
CiDA
(Certificate in Digital Applications)
Key information
Exam board
Edexcel
Topics
This course promotes the creative use of digital applications, covering imaging, multimedia, website and computer game development.
Unit 1: Developing web products (mandatory)
Unit 2: Creative multimedia (optional)
Unit 3: Artwork and imaging (optional)
Unit 4: Game making (optional)
Specification:
Independent learning
It is the students responsibility to organise their time, identify areas to improve and set themselves related task to improve skills and knowledge. However, homework will be set once a week to support this.
Revision & catch up sessions
Revision books NA
Past exam papers and mark schemes
Useful websites

9. Computer Science Key information Exam board OCR Topics
Computer systems
Memory
Programming languages
Translators
Specification:
Independent learning
It is the students responsibility to organise their time, identify areas to improve and set themselves related task to improve skills and knowledge. However, homework will be set once a week to support this.
Revision & catch up sessions
Revision books
Python IDLE book
Past exam papers and mark schemes
Useful websites
If students have access to a computer at home they may want to install the Python IDLE - there are lots of resources available online, as well as a lot of books available too.

10. English Key information Exam board AQA Topics
English language - creative reading and writing, writer's viewpoints and perspectives
Shakespeare - either Macbeth or Romeo and Juliet
Poetry anthology – poems from Conflict and Power.
Modern text - Blood Brothers, An Inspector Calls or Animal Farm 
Pre-1900s text - A Christmas Carol or Frankenstein 
Unseen Poetry
Specification:
Independent learning
It is the students responsibility to organise their time, identify areas to improve and set themselves related task to improve skills and knowledge. However, homework will be set once a week to support this.
Revision & catch up sessions
After school – Wednesday (Poety – Ms Imtiaz & Ms Wedderburn) &Thursday (blood brothers –Ms Wedderburn)
Revision books
Please see page 6 for a comprehensive list of revision books and prices. These can also be ordered from Amazon or WH Smiths.
Past exam papers and mark schemes
Useful websites

11. English Guide Price English Literature: Drama
An Inspector Calls – Text Guide
£2.75
An Inspector Calls Workbook (includes Answers)
A Christmas Carol – Text Guide
A Christmas Carol Workbook (includes Answers)
Blood Brothers – Text Guide
Blood Brothers – Workbook (includes Answers)
English Literature: Shakespeare
Macbeth – The Complete Play
Macbeth – Text Guide
Macbeth Workbook (includes Answers)
Romeo & Juliet – The Complete Play
Romeo and Juliet – Text Guide
Romeo and Juliet Workbook (includes Answers)
English Literature: Poetry
Poetry Power & Conflict Anthology Guide
Poetry Power & Conflict Anthology Workbook
Poetry AQA Unseen Poetry Guide
English Language:
English Language Complete Revision & Practice
£5.50
English Language AQA Revision Guide: Grades 9-1
English Language AQA Workbook: Grades 9-1
English Language AQA Study & Exam Practice: Grades 5-1
£3.25
English Language AQA Answers for Study & Exam Practice: Grades 5-1
£1.00
English Language AQA Practice Papers: Grades 9-1
GCSE English Writing Skills Study Guide
£2.25
SPaG
Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar for GCSE Complete Study & Practice
Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar for GCSE Study Guide
Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar for GCSE Workbook (includes answers)

12. French Key information Exam board AQA Topics
Theme 1: Identity and culture.
Theme 2: Local, national, international and global areas of interest.
Theme 3: Current and future study and employment.
Specification:
Independent learning
Students are expected to access whenever possible to boost their grammar skills. It is the students responsibility to organise their time, identify areas to improve and set themselves related task to improve skills and knowledge. However, homework will be set once a week to support this.
Revision & catch up sessions
Lunch – Monday & Tuesday
Revision books
Pearson AQA French 9-1 Revision guide and revision workbook can be bought from the Department or directly from Amazon for the same price of around £5.99.
Past exam papers and mark schemes
Useful websites
- login: password: ng2 4gl
Quizlet/ Games/ vocab 
verb trainer/ workouts/ games
set yourself 5/10 minutes a day/ set yourself a daily challenge
Improve your listening comprehension and practice with different accents interacting with the best musical videos, filling the gaps in the lyrics and using the Karaoke. 

13. Geography Key information Exam board AQA Topics
UK physical landscapes, river landscapes in the UK, Urban issues and challenges in an LIC/NEE.
Resource management, water, the changing economic world: development and LICs/NEEs.
Costal landscapes in the UK, The changing Economic World: UK economy.
Specification:
Independent learning
It is the students responsibility to organise their time, identify areas to improve and set themselves related task to improve skills and knowledge. However, homework will be set once a week to support this.
Revision/ catch up sessions
After School - Tuesday
Revision books
Available from the class teacher £5.50
Past exam papers and mark schemes
Useful websites

14. History Key information Exam board AQA Topics
Medicine from Medieval to Modern, Conflict and tension from 1918 to 1939, Elizabethan England, Germany
Specification:
Independent learning
It is the students responsibility to organise their time, identify areas to improve and set themselves related task to improve skills and knowledge. However, homework will be set once a week to support this.
Revision & catch up sessions
Lunch – Wednesday
Revision books
'CGP GCSE AQA History Grade 9-1 Course Revision Guide' £5 WHSmith and amazon.
Past exam papers and mark schemes
Useful websites

15. Maths Key information Exam board AQA Topics Foundation grades 1-5
Higher grades 4-9
Specification:
Independent learning
Homework is set weekly on Maths Watch. Every student has been given a login by their teacher.
Mr Gordon's groups are also doing a weekly DRT (Direct Response Task) exam paper. This will be extended to other groups as the year progresses.
Revision & catch up sessions
Lunch – Every day
After school - Tuesday & Thursday
Revision books
These can be ordered in WH Smiths or online by visiting:
Past exam papers and mark schemes
Useful websites
Maths watch -
Maths Genie -
PIXL maths app -

16. Media Key information Exam board Pearson’s Edexcel Topics
Digital media sectors and audiences.
Planning and pitching a digital media product.
Digital moving image production.
Website Production.
Independent learning
All student are encouraged to consume a wide variety of media products in their own time. It is the students responsibility to organise their time, identify areas to improve and set themselves related task to improve skills and knowledge.
Revision & catch up sessions
After School - Thursday
Revision books
N/A
Past exam papers and mark schemes
Useful websites

17. Psychology Key information Exam board OCR Topics Year 10
Criminal Psychology
Development
Psychological Problems
Research Methods
Year 11
Social Influence
Memory
Sleep and Dreaming
Specification
Independent learning
It is the students responsibility to organise their time, identify areas to improve and set themselves related task to improve skills and knowledge. However, homework will be set once a week to support this.
Revision & catch up sessions
After School - Wednesday
Revision books
Revision books provided by department
Past exam papers and mark schemes
Useful websites
This is a new course so there are very few up to date resources online. However, articles and resources may be found on individual studies if searched on google.

18. Photography Key information Exam board AQA Topics Year 10 Detail
Out of Place
Motion
Assembled
Creative landscape
Architecture
Shelter
Specification
Independent learning
It is the students responsibility to organise their time, identify areas to improve and set themselves related task to improve skills and knowledge. However, homework will be set once a week to support this.
Revision & catch up sessions
Revision books
N/A sketchbooks are provided and can be used at home.
Past exam papers and mark schemes
N/A
Useful websites
Pinterest at home. Goole is useful for most research and the AQA Art and design website for examples and grade boundaries.

19. Religious Education Key information Exam board Edexcel Topics
Syllabus A Religious Studies
Islam - Beliefs, Practices, Sources of Wisdom and Authority, Living the Muslim Life, Christianity: Beliefs and practices, Philosophy and Ethics through Islam
Syllabus B Religious Studies
Christianity -beliefs, practices, Marriage and the family, Matters of life and death, living the Christian way of life, Muslim beliefs and practices, Peace and Conflict through Islam
Specification:
Independent learning
. Students should complete exam questions at end of the topic which are in the booklets provided. It is the students responsibility to organise their time, identify areas to improve and set themselves related task to improve skills and knowledge.
Revision & catch up sessions
After school: Friday
Revision books
Revision book will be given by the department - no fee.
Past exam papers and mark schemes
Useful websites

20. Science Key information Exam board AQA Science Topics
Independent learning
It is the students responsibility to organise their time, identify areas to improve and set themselves related task to improve skills and knowledge. However, homework will be set every two weeks to support this via Ezy Education.
Revision & catch up sessions
Ezy Education HW – Fridays
Wednesday after school
Open to all session
Personal Invite session
Revision books
Revision Books –
£5:50 for combined science, £8.25 for three triple science books.
Exam Practice Books –
£4.50 for combined science, £11.25 for three separate science books.
Cash needed to the science department and orders are made regularly.
Past exam papers and mark schemes
Useful websites
– all pupils have usernames
Bbc Bitesize
Focus Learning – password is 123
Free Science Lessons.com
Student Common Drive
Independent tasks for each module
Check lists for each module
Knowledge Mats for each module

21. Spanish Key information Exam board AQA Topics
Theme 1: Identity and culture.
Theme 2: Local, national, international and global areas of interest.
Theme 3: Current and future study and employment.
Specification:
Independent learning
Students are expected to access whenever possible to boost their grammar skills.
Revision & catch up sessions
Lunch - Friday
Revision books
can be loaned out from MFL department or purchased from Amazon.
Past exam papers and mark schemes
Useful websites
(Click on Oyé for Spanish link)
login:1523 password: ng2 4gl
- Spanish account ID: 1436 Pupil password: gwdschool
Quizlet/ Games/ vocab 
verb trainer/ workouts/ games
set yourself 5/10 minutes a day/ set yourself a daily challenge
Improve your listening comprehension and practice with different accents interacting with the best musical videos, filling the gaps in the lyrics and using the Karaoke

22. Sport Key information Exam board OCR Topics
Coursework units: Sport Psychology (R044); The principles of training (R042); Sports nutrition (R045)
Exam units: (Sports injuries R041) topics and revision can be found on Quizlet.com > Search NACPE > Classes R041 (see below).
Specification:
Independent learning
It is the students responsibility to identify whether or not they are up to date with their coursework. If they are not it is the expectation that they dedicate time during lunch or after school to catch up.
Revision & catch up sessions
After school - Tuesday
Revision books
There are no revision guides for this course to buy. Only resources that staff and pupils create. Some past exam papers and mark schemes can be found on
Past exam papers and mark schemes
Useful websites
(search for ‘NACPE’)

23. Urdu Key information Exam board AQA Topics
Relationships and choices – Family, pets, friends, feelings, plans, racism, poverty and opinions.
Free time and the media - Sports activities, hobbies, shopping, clothes, technology and opinions.
Home and local area- Houses, rooms, furniture, birthdays, shops, buildings, town, region, areas and descriptions.
School/college and future plans - Subjects, buildings, meals, rules, rooms, problems and opinions.
Holidays - Plans, preferences, experiences, places, transports.
Specification:
Independent learning
It is the students responsibility to organise their time, identify areas to improve and set themselves related task to improve skills and knowledge. However, homework will be set once a week to support this.
Revision & catch up sessions
Lunchtime: Wednesday
Afterschool: Thursday
Tuesday
Revision books
No specific revision books available. See Mr Khan for revision materials.
Past exam papers and mark schemes
Useful websites