--- title: "Independent Study" url: "https://tottington.bury.sch.uk/students/independent-study" school: "Tottington High School" --- # Independent Study **Independent Learning at Tottington High School** Independent study is an integral part of learning in order for students to achieve the best possible outcomes. Not only is it important for students to get used to working at home so that they are able to prepare for the study skills necessary for their exams, but also it is a key skill required to cope with professional demands in many careers and industries. Independent learning will always link to the curriculum studied in school with opportunities to consolidate and practise learning. We believe that home study should not place an unnecessary burden on children or parents and carers. In order to support this, KS3 independent learning will be linked to the key learning objectives in students’ Knowledge Organisers so parents and carers have a clear overview of what is being practised. At KS4 we expect students to become more independent in readiness for their GCSE exams and beyond. Therefore, they will have a suite of resources for subject-specific independent practice, past papers and revision guides alongside assignments set by their teacher. All Independent learning tasks will be set on Arbor by students’ class teacher. **Timetable** | **Subject** | **Year 7, 8, 9** | **Year 10, 11** | |---|---|---| | Maths, English and Science | Once per week | Once per week | | Geography | Once per fortnight | Once per fortnight | | History | Once per fortnight | Once per fortnight | | MFL | Once per fortnight | Once per week | | Personal Development | Once per half term | Once per fortnight | | RE | Once per half term | Once per fortnight | | ICT | Once per half term | Once per fortnight | | Music | Once per half term | Once per fortnight | | Art | Once per half term | Once per fortnight | | Drama | Once per half term | Once per fortnight | | Technology | Once per half term | Once per fortnight | | PE | Once per half term | Once per fortnight | | **Summer Term** | |---| | [![](https://tottington.bury.sch.uk/images/icon/KOs/KO07.png)](https://tottington.bury.sch.uk/files/documents/curriculum/KOs/Summer26/Year7-KO.pdf) | [![](https://tottington.bury.sch.uk/images/icon/KOs/KO08.png)](https://tottington.bury.sch.uk/files/documents/curriculum/KOs/Summer26/Year8-KO.pdf) | [![](https://tottington.bury.sch.uk/images/icon/KOs/KO09.png)](https://tottington.bury.sch.uk/files/documents/curriculum/KOs/Summer26/Year9-KO.pdf) | | \| [![](https://tottington.bury.sch.uk/images/icon/KOs/KO10.png)](https://tottington.bury.sch.uk/files/documents/curriculum/KOs/Summer26/Year10-KO.pdf) \| [![](https://tottington.bury.sch.uk/images/icon/KOs/KO11.png)](https://tottington.bury.sch.uk/files/documents/curriculum/KOs/Summer26/Year11-KO.pdf) \| \| [![](https://tottington.bury.sch.uk/images/icon/KOs/KO10_iM.png)](https://tottington.bury.sch.uk/files/documents/curriculum/KOs/Summer26/Yr10-iM.pdf) \| [![](https://tottington.bury.sch.uk/images/icon/KOs/KO11_iM.png)](https://tottington.bury.sch.uk/files/documents/curriculum/KOs/Summer26/Yr11-iM.pdf) \| \|---\|---\| \| [![](https://tottington.bury.sch.uk/images/icon/KOs/KO10_BS.png)](https://tottington.bury.sch.uk/files/documents/curriculum/KOs/Summer26/Yr10-BS.pdf) \| [![](https://tottington.bury.sch.uk/images/icon/KOs/KO11_BS.png)](https://tottington.bury.sch.uk/files/documents/curriculum/KOs/Summer26/Yr11-BS.pdf) \| | |---| ### Independent Study Guide Independent Study 4.24 MB [Open for printing](https://files.schudio.com/tottington-high-school/files/documents/curriculum/2526/Independent_Study_2526_r1.pdf) **Engagement with Independent Learning** Students who complete independent learning on time will be rewarded with excellence points on Arbor. If your child repeatedly fails to engage with independent learning, your child's class teacher will be in touch to discuss how we can provide further support. **Independent study enables students to:** - consolidate and extend work covered in class or prepare for new learning activities - access resources not available in the classroom - develop research skills - have an opportunity for independent work - show progress and understanding - provide feedback in the evaluation of teaching - to enhance their study skills e.g. planning, time management and self-discipline - to take ownership and responsibility for learning - engage parental co-operation and support - create channels for home school dialogue **Independent study can be:** - Independent learning - Consolidation of work in class - Practice – learning by doing - Completion of coursework assignments - Research - Reading - Interviews - Drawing - Using ICT - Recording **Arbor Parent Portal & App** The Parent Portal and Arbor App let parents register their child for a club or trip, book parents evening slots, and manage payments all from their phone or computer. Parents can also check in on their child’s attendance, behaviour and progress. #### **Accessing Parent Portal** Parents can log into the Parent Portal by going to [login.arbor.sc](https://login.arbor.sc) and inputting your email address and password. If you have not been provided with this information please contact us, #### **Downloading the Arbor App** The Arbor App is the mobile version of our Parent Portal, for use on mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets. - [Download Arbor – Google Play Store](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.arboreducation.parentapp) - [‎Download Arbor - iOS App Store](https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/arbor/id1448707412) **Using Parent Portal and the Arbor App** The following articles will help parents get started with using the Parent Portal and Arbor App: - [Getting started - Log into the Parent Portal and the Arbor App – Arbor Help Centre (arbor-education.com)](https://support.arbor-education.com/hc/en-us/articles/360020147458-Getting-started-Log-into-the-Parent-Portal-and-the-Arbor-App) - [A quick introduction to Arbor for guardians and parents – Arbor Help Centre (arbor-education.com)](https://support.arbor-education.com/hc/en-us/articles/212097029-A-quick-introduction-to-Arbor-for-guardians-and-parents#logging-in-0-0) - [Seeing and updating my child's information on the Parent Portal or Arbor App – Arbor Help Centre (arbor-education.com)](https://support.arbor-education.com/hc/en-us/articles/203856161-Seeing-and-updating-my-child-s-information-on-the-Parent-Portal-or-Arbor-App) - [Troubleshooting login issues - why can't I log in to my school's Parent Portal or Arbor App? – Arbor Help Centre (arbor-education.com)](https://support.arbor-education.com/hc/en-us/articles/115002810985-Troubleshooting-login-issues-why-can-t-I-log-in-to-my-school-s-Parent-Portal-or-Arbor-App-) ### Students - [Canteen Information](https://tottington.bury.sch.uk/students/canteen-information) - [GCSE Exams and Revision](https://tottington.bury.sch.uk/students/revision) - [Independent Study](https://tottington.bury.sch.uk/students/independent-study) - [Online Safety](https://tottington.bury.sch.uk/students/online-safety) - [Remote Learning](https://tottington.bury.sch.uk/students/remote-learning) - [The School Day](https://tottington.bury.sch.uk/about/the-school-day) - [Talk About it](https://tottington.bury.sch.uk/safe-guarding) - [![Shaw trust](https://files.schudio.com/tottington-high-school/images/partners/SET-Logo-2021.jpeg)](https://www.shaw-education.org.uk/) - ![LGBTQ+](https://files.schudio.com/tottington-high-school/images/partners/School-logo-competition-winner(1).png) - [![CEOP](https://files.schudio.com/tottington-high-school/images/partners/ceop-button2-copy.png)](https://www.ceop.police.uk/Safety-Centre/) - ![Flag Awards](https://files.schudio.com/tottington-high-school/images/partners/rainbow-flags-1(1).png) - [![Music Mark](https://files.schudio.com/tottington-high-school/images/partners/Music_Mark_copy.png)](https://www.musicmark.org.uk) - ![HSBC Smart Money 2026](https://files.schudio.com/tottington-high-school/images/partners/HSBCUKSmartMoneyBadge2026.png) [Embedded content](https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d2366.94454803305!2d-2.3402890839295667!3d53.61229176245827!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x487ba4644eafc42b%3A0xb4de8eb7e031c445!2sTottington%20High%20School%20Academy!5e0!3m2!1sen!2suk!4v1654010124132!5m2!1sen!2suk) **Tottington High School** Headteacher Louise Jaunbocus-Cooper Laurel Street Tottington Bury BL8 3LY Tel: 01204 882 327 Email: [![Shaw Education Trust](https://files.schudio.com/shaw-education-trust-2/images/logo/set-misc/footer-logo-v1.png)](https://shaw-education.org.uk) **Shaw Education Trust** Kidsgrove Secondary School Gloucester Road Kidsgrove ST7 4DL VAT: GB 358822467 Tel: 01782 948259 Email: Company Number: 09067175 ### Shaw Education Trust - [About Shaw Education Trust](https://tottington.bury.sch.uk/about-shaw-education-trust) ### Staff Links - [iTrent](https://ce0524li.webitrent.com/ce0524li_ess/) - [Special Leave Request](https://forms.office.com/e/5zuDuWaBqp) - [Office.com](http://www.office.com) ### Work with us - [Current Vacancies](https://tottington-bury.schoolrecruiter.com/) ### Contact Us - [Click here to contact us](https://tottington.bury.sch.uk/contact) ### Social Media - [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/TottingtonHighTHS) © Copyright 2022–2026 Tottington High School School & Trust Websites by [ ![Schudio logo](https://tottington.bury.sch.uk/img/logo/light.png) ](https://www.schudio.com/)