A Parent's Guide to Teaching and Learning at Burntwood
At Burntwood, we believe that all students can succeed when they are taught through effective, evidence-informed approaches and develop positive learning habits. The Burntwood Way provides a consistent approach to teaching and learning in every classroom, every lesson and every day.
Our aim is to help students become confident, resilient and independent learners who are well prepared for success both in school and beyond.
Ready to Learn
Learning starts before students enter the classroom. We encourage all students to:
- Arrive on time and ready to learn
- Bring the correct equipment and resources
- Maintain a positive attitude to learning
- Listen carefully and participate actively
- Respect others and contribute positively to lessons
- Develop healthy habits including good sleep, nutrition and attendance
How parents can help
- Establish consistent routines at home
- Encourage regular attendance and punctuality
- Ensure equipment is prepared the night before
- Support healthy sleep and screen-time habits
- Provide a quiet space for homework and revision where possible
How students learn at Burntwood
Across all subjects, students will regularly experience the following approaches:
Retrieval Practice
Students regularly revisit previous learning through quizzes, questioning and review activities. This strengthens memory and helps knowledge stick.
Parents can help by:
- Asking your child to explain what they have learned
- Encouraging flashcards and self-testing
- Supporting regular review rather than last-minute revision
Metacognitive Strategies
Students are taught to think about how they learn by planning, monitoring and evaluating their progress.
Parents can help by asking:
- What strategy helped you today?
- What did you find challenging?
- What will you do differently next time?
Questioning and Participation
At Burntwood, teachers frequently use cold-call questioning. This means that rather than always asking for volunteers, teachers may direct questions to any student in the class.
Cold calling is not designed to catch students out or put them under pressure. Instead, it helps ensure that every student remains engaged, thinks carefully about the learning and is prepared to participate.
Parents can help by:
- Discussing learning at home
- Encouraging students to explain their thinking
- Promoting confidence in speaking and sharing ideas
Feedback
At Burntwood, students receive feedback in a variety of forms, including written, verbal, live, whole-class, peer and self-assessment feedback. Regardless of the format, all feedback is designed to help students identify strengths, address misconceptions and improve their learning over time.
Parents can help by:
- Regularly discussing feedback with their child
- Encouraging students to act on advice given by teachers
- Focusing on improvement and progress
Reading, Oracy and Writing
Strong literacy skills support success in every subject. Students read, speak and write regularly across the curriculum.
Parents can help by:
- Encouraging regular reading
- Discussing books, current affairs and new vocabulary
- Providing opportunities for meaningful conversation and discussion
What we expect from students
Successful learners:
- Attend school every day and arrive on time
- Take pride in their work and presentation
- Complete homework and independent study consistently
- Persevere when learning becomes challenging
- Reflect on feedback and act upon it
- Read regularly and develop their vocabulary
- Take responsibility for their learning
Supporting learning at home
Parents play a vital role in helping students succeed. Small, consistent actions often have the greatest impact.
We encourage families to:
- Show an interest in what students are learning
- Celebrate effort, commitment and resilience
- Encourage reading for pleasure
- Limit distractions during study time
- Promote independence and organisation
- Maintain high expectations whilst supporting wellbeing
Key Stage Expectations
Key Stage 3 (Years 7-9)
Students should develop strong learning habits, organisation skills and a love of learning.
Key Stage 4 (Years 10-11)
Students should establish regular revision routines, practise retrieving knowledge and prepare effectively for examinations.
Key Stage 5 (Years 12-13)
Students should take increasing responsibility for independent study, wider reading and preparation for their future pathways.
Working Together
The most successful students are supported by strong partnerships between home and school. By promoting the learning habits and approaches outlined in The Burntwood Way, parents can help their children develop the knowledge, skills and confidence to thrive.
