April 2017

Ref: Year 8 Homework Project

Dear Parent/Carer

Year 8 Independent Learning Challenge in ICT

I am writing to make you aware of the approach we are taking with homework in the ICT department at Waseley for the remainder of this half term. In order to achieve higher standards of Independent Learning, we are to replace the previous way of setting homework earlier in the year with a different system.

For the remainder of the term, pupils will be set extended pieces of homework in ICT for the ILC, “Independent Learning Challenge” and this year’s project is based around a Travel Agents.

Pupils will need to create a number of different tasks with various software packages and it is expected that the project will take at least six hours to complete independently. Please see the enclosed mark scheme against which the project will be accessed.

The task will be provided with clear, differentiated instructions on how it should be completed. Resources have also been provided to support the pupils in their work and are available on the school website VLE section. The work will be started at School in their ICT lesson and then it is expected that it will be completed both in school and at home. If you have no computer or Internet access at home, students can use the ICT resources available to all pupils each lunchtime, or the public access computers in the local library. To help further, the use of a USB stick to transfer work or by using the Home Access will allow access to work saved on the school system from home. (Instructions for this was re visited in January 2017 and a help sheet is on the VLE)

The deadline for completion of this work will be in their last ICT lesson on the week commencing Monday 5th June 2017.

The expectation is that all pupils will complete the work set. Regular homework will not be set during this period as pupils will be expected to use this time to complete their ILC. Rewards will be given for excellent work which will give them an opportunity to demonstrate their skills in a variety of software applications, along with appropriate sanctions for failure to spend enough time and effort on their ILC.

We welcome your support in getting this initiative off to a good start. You can do this by ensuring that your son/ daughter, has all the facilities to complete their work. It would also be very helpful if you make sure that your son/ daughter spreads the work out evenly over the time allowed, as work done at the last minute is often of poor quality.  The dates to help break this into smaller bite size chunks have been recorded in their planners. Also any travel brochures or adverts would help them with this ILC. There is a date completion guide on their supplied ILC booklet along with a variety of support material on the school VLE.

Thank you in anticipation of your support in this matter. Any questions please contact either myself or Mrs Joshi.

Yours sincerely,

Headteacher: Mr. A. Roll

School Road, Rubery, Birmingham B45 9ELTel: 0121 453 5211 Email:office@waseleyhills.worcs.sch.uk

www.waseleyhills.worcs.sch.uk

Mr D Jones, Head of ICT Department. djones@waseleyhills.worcs.sch.uk

Headteacher: Mr. A. Roll

School Road, Rubery, Birmingham B45 9ELTel: 0121 453 5211 Email:office@waseleyhills.worcs.sch.uk

www.waseleyhills.worcs.sch.uk