At Birkdale we aim to be leaders in the education of boys, which for us starts with a clear focus on developing effective teaching pedagogy and not engaging in educational fads or gimmicks. Your son will receive teaching driven by cognitive science and educational research, delivered by an incredibly knowledgeable and experienced body of professionals. We are proud of the subject knowledge our teachers have and we use the most effective methods at imparting that knowledge on to our students. Your son’s teachers are given the space and support they need to make positive changes in their teaching in a risk-free environment. We watch each other teach, share best practice, and are eager to accept our professional obligation to improve methods of embedding the knowledge your son needs.

Literacy is a big focus for us at Birkdale High School. We want boys to leave us as competent young men, able to communicate effectively in different situations. Vocabulary review, instruction, questioning, and practice all feature in the CPD and Quality Assurance processes that our teachers complete each year.

At Birkdale High School, we believe that homework is an essential part of your son’s learning and, when regularly set and properly done, can add a substantial amount of study time over a five-year school career. It will cement the knowledge acquired in lessons, enhance his understanding and further his progress in each of his subjects, thereby benefiting his overall intellectual development.

Homework is set via google classroom: a simple online homework calendar, visible to all pupils and parents; complete with instructions for completion and deadlines. The homework calendar your son accesses is individual to him and, if used effectively, will help him make good use of his time and keep strictly to important homework deadlines. You will also have your own individual login as a parent. Pupils who complete all their homework to the best of their ability, in full and on time, always make better progress than pupils who struggle to keep up to date with homework.

Engaging your support in your son’s success is vital in helping to create high expectations and providing the basis for developing independent learning skills and habits which will benefit his lifelong learning. Providing time and space for your son to complete homework will support him in achieving his best.

We are very conscious though, that, for some of our pupils, home study may be difficult. Not every home can provide a quiet place in which to study and work and so, for those pupils particularly, but also for any others who feel they might benefit; the school runs homework and study clubs for all age groups before and after school, as well as at lunchtimes. You or your son can speak to his Form Tutor for more information about accessing these sessions.