Homework
To support organisation, consistency and clarity, each year group has its own homework timetable. Students should refer to their specific year group timetable each day to check which homework has been set and when it needs to be completed. This ensures that all students clearly understand their daily expectations and can manage their workload effectively.
Each subject allows 7 days for homework completion, giving students sufficient time to plan, practise and consolidate their learning. All homework is set and completed through our online learning platforms EDUCAKE, SPARX and BEDROCK.
By regularly checking the homework timetable and completing tasks on time, students develop independence, responsibility and strong study habits that will support their learning both in school and beyond.
'Knowledge is power; we make it stick'
Homework is used as a tool for students to consolidate learning already acquired through the delivery of the curriculum. It provides an opportunity to overlearn topics, skills, and knowledge to support long term memory – interleaving of both current and past learning to ensure skills and knowledge stick. Through using low stakes quizzing, teachers' understanding of student learning is informed, supporting further planning for individuals.
All students will be set homework according to their homework timetables, which will be distributed students. Homework will be set on a programme called EDUCAKE. Students have 1 week to complete each piece of homework from their subject areas.
Expectations:
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All students will complete weekly Bedrock Literacy Tasks on grammar and vocabulary
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All students will complete weekly Sparx Maths Homework
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All students will complete their subject specific EDUCAKE homework, which is focused on recall tasks
Sanctions and Rewards:
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All three homework approaches will be centrally tracked
- Successful completion will result in positive points as well as rewards treats and trips!
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Incomplete homework will initially result in detentions.
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2 x incomplete pieces of homework in a week will results in a 45-minute detention after school on a Friday
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The detentions will take place in a computer room, so the students are able to complete the outstanding pieces of work that are due
There is a homework club running before and after school to support all students completing their homework.
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Homework Timetables
To support organisation, consistency and clarity, each year group has its own homework timetable. Students should refer to their specific year group timetable each day to check which homework has been set and when it needs to be completed. This ensures that all students clearly understand their daily expectations and can manage their workload effectively.
Each subject allows 7 days for homework completion, giving students sufficient time to plan, practise and consolidate their learning. All homework is set and completed through our online learning platforms EDUCAKE, SPARX and BEDROCK.
By regularly checking the homework timetable and completing tasks on time, students develop independence, responsibility and strong study habits that will support their learning both in school and beyond.
Bedrock Learning
To support your child’s learning, the school is signed up to Bedrock Learning, an online platform designed to improve vocabulary, reading comprehension, and writing skills across all subjects.
Bedrock helps students develop the academic language they need to succeed at school. Through short, engaging lessons, students learn new words, practise using them in context, and build confidence in their reading and writing. Activities can be completed on a phone, tablet, or computer, making it easy to fit into lessons, homework, and revision.
Bedrock in KS3 Library Lessons
Every child in Key Stage 3 (Years 7–9) receives regular library lessons as part of their English curriculum. During these lessons:
- Half of the lesson is dedicated to practising Bedrock, guided by an English subject specialist, who supports students with vocabulary, comprehension, and effective learning strategies.
- The remaining time is spent reading independently, helping students to develop fluency, stamina, and - most importantly - a love of reading.
These sessions ensure students are regularly exposed to high-quality reading and structured vocabulary practice in a calm, supportive environment.
Bedrock as Homework
Bedrock is also set as regular homework for KS3 students. This allows pupils to:
- Reinforce vocabulary learned in lessons
- Practise retrieval and deepen understanding at home
- Build strong, independent study habits
Teachers can monitor progress, identify gaps in understanding, and provide additional support where needed.
Guidance to log in for you and your student at Riverside:
- Go to www.bedrocklearning.org
- Click “Student Login”
- Select “Log in with Microsoft”
- Enter the login details your child has been given in class
Note, all teachers have access to Bedrock log-in details, so if you are struggling with this, please do contact the school office and guide your student to speak to either their English teacher or tutor leader.
How Bedrock helps: Building Vocabulary, Building Confidence
- Students learn and practise key academic vocabulary
- Lessons adapt to each student’s level and progress
- Regular retrieval practice helps new knowledge stick
- Improved vocabulary supports success across all subjects
To support your child, the school have signed up to our learning platform, Educake.
Educake is a simple tool that helps your child do revision and homework in a quick and simple way. They can do short quizzes on their phone or computer. It helps them understand what they know, and what they need to practise more. The teachers can also see this, giving attention to students that may need support.
Students can build confidence through re-call tasks, and get all their homework sorted in one place. No more lost homework!
Guidance to log in for you and your student at Riverside:
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Go to www.educake.co.uk
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Click “Student login”
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Click “Log in with Microsoft”
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Type the login details your child already uses for their school email
That’s it – no new password to remember!
How Educake helps: 'Knowledge is Power, Make it stick'
• Students can see which topics they are strong in and which need more practice
• Students can then choose quizzes for the topics they want to improve
• The Revision Wizard can make personal quizzes to help with the topics they find hardest
For clear guidance on how to use Educake, please watch the step-by-step guide on video to help you!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BDh9YLf2Fg&t=3s
For further information and break down of the platform, please scan the barcode or click the link below, which will take you to our very own Harris Riverside Educake website page:
https://www.educake.co.uk/parents-and-carers-at-harris-academy-riverside/
Sparx Maths is a highly effective online learning platform designed to support and strengthen students’ mathematical understanding both in school and at home. It provides personalised, interactive practice that helps students build confidence, fluency and resilience in mathematics.
How Sparx Maths Works
Sparx uses intelligent technology to set tailored weekly homework for each student. Tasks are carefully chosen based on prior learning so that every pupil is challenged at the right level. Questions are broken into small, manageable steps, helping students to develop secure understanding rather than relying on shortcuts or guessing.
Key Features
- Personalised learning – homework is adapted to each student’s needs
- Focus on understanding – students must show working and think carefully about each question
- Instant feedback – built‑in support and explanations help students learn from their mistakes
- Non‑calculator maths – strengthens mental maths skills and number fluency
- Gamification and motivation – XP, achievements and goals encourage engagement
- Accessibility tools – including text‑to‑speech and clear visual explanations
Benefits for Students
Sparx Maths encourages independence and resilience by requiring students to persevere and problem‑solve. Over time, students develop stronger mathematical habits, improved confidence and a deeper understanding of key concepts.
Benefits for Parents and Carers
Parents can be confident that homework set on Sparx is purposeful, appropriately challenging and directly linked to classroom learning. Sparx also removes the need for parents to “teach” methods, as help is embedded within the platform.
Monitoring Progress
Teachers can track pupil progress in detail, identifying misconceptions quickly and providing targeted support where needed. This ensures homework meaningfully supports classroom teaching and learning
Logging in:
For new students
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Go to maths.sparx-learning.com
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Select your school and click 'Continue'
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Click 'New user' underneath the login fields
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Follow the steps to create your account:
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Enter your name and date of birth
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Note down your username
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Create a password (minimum 6 characters)
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[http://How to set up new user - Link]How to set up new user - Link
Already set up
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Go to maths.sparx-learning.com
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Select your school
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Enter your username and password
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Click 'Log in'
How to login in as existing user - Link
Forgot password/Username
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Click 'Forgotten login details?'
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Choose 'Student'
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Enter name and date of birth
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A teacher will need to approve the reset, which can be done for multiple or individual students
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Once approved, set a new password by clicking 'Forgotten login details?' again and entering details
More support and guidance for parents - https://sparxmaths.com/parents/