At Hillcrest School and Sixth Form Centre, we place a strong emphasis on independent learning, effective self-quizzing, and the explicit teaching of metacognitive strategies. To help students master the core knowledge of their curriculum, we teach them how to plan, monitor, and evaluate their learning, use self-quizzing to check understanding, and learn productively from mistakes.

This culture of supporting students to secure and retain knowledge is embedded across the school – not only within lessons, but also through Monday Learning Form Periods, our KS3 homework approach, and a range of celebration and recognition events.

Example Year 7 self-quizzing for homework schedule:

We actively celebrate student success, and students can earn Knowledge Bonus Points in a variety of ways:

• Students may be nominated by their form tutor as Self-Quizzer of the Week, recognising those who have shown clear improvement in their self-quizzing techniques and a strong commitment to developing effective learning habits.
• Students are also invited to bring their self-quizzing books to the Knowledge Celebration, held every Monday breaktime, where effort and progress are celebrated by school leaders.
• In addition, students can choose to attend the Homework Hub, where expert staff support is available to help them complete homework successfully and with confidence.

Examples of work produced by our Self-Quizzers of the Week:

Our weekly Monday celebrations of scholars’ learning culminate in a termly Knowledge Assembly, where our Knowledge Champions are recognised. Scholars who have demonstrated consistent commitment to learning and have accumulated the most Knowledge Bonus Points are more likely to be selected as Knowledge Champions, celebrating both effort and achievement over time.

Knowledge Assembly:

Term 1 Knowledge Champions on an exclusive educational visit: