"An organised study area and pre-week review of the lessons make the week run much smoother."

Wolsey Hall parent

Creating a learning space

Your child needs a comfortable space that they can call their learning space. It is a good idea to have a designated space that is always used for their home learning. If you are able to have a space that is only for their use that is ideal, but we appreciate that not be possible for some households.

Whether the designated space is just for home learning, or a shared space, it is important that your child has an appropriate seat that is suitable for doing school work whilst sitting comfortably. Try to keep the table or desk space clear of other things during their school hours and encourage your child to keep it neat and tidy.

Make a rule that the area is to be respected by the rest of the household. Help your child to prepare their learning space with the equipment they will use for learning. Keep items stored neatly and make sure they can be accessed easily by your child. If it is a shared space you could use pots, pencil cases and trays or boxes to easily move the learning equipment after their learning sessions. Basic school equipment that will be used frequently by your child may include pencils, colour pencils and pens, pencil sharpener, eraser, ruler, textbooks provided by Wolsey Hall, lined and plain paper.

Your child's timetable will help provide structure to your day and help your child grow in independence, as your child can easily see what lessons they have each day and what is happening next. If you have a sole learning space you may choose to display the timetable on the wall. If you have a shared space for learning consider putting a printed copy of your timetable in a protective plastic sleeve and having it readily available on your child's table/desk when they begin their learning.

It is important that your child is free from other distractions when learning. If possible, choose a quiet place in the home for your learning space, free from background distractions like the TV, loud music and other people talking or playing. Clear the table or desk of other distractions (like toys and games, phones) to help them stay focused on their learning task.

TIP 1 (audio clip):

"Flexibility toward the schedule, your child, and yourself is key to making it a pleasurable experience for everyone."

Wolsey Hall parent