Return to Learn

Subject

Return to Learn strategy

Resources

English

• Unconditional Positive Regard from the teacher and welcome back.

• All schemes have had Return to Learn sheets produced to cover every 3 lessons (since we see students so frequently). These are be printed on bright paper and kept in each classroom. Students can then retrieve the sheet and complete any catchup tasks for the lessons they have missed. Sheets contain key content covered, questions to check understanding, key quotes (where applicable). 

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• There are Knowledge Organisers to summarise the key content pupils are expected to learn within each topic. These are laminated and kept in classrooms; these can also be shared via home learning platform Bromcom. 

Return to Learn sheets.

Knowledge organisers.

‘What to do if you miss lessons’ poster.

Subject

Return to Learn strategy

Resources

Maths

Reconnect Socially

• Seat returning students next to a reliable peer who can quickly orientate them to the lesson. A peer check-in.
• Use consistent, reassuring language to normalise absence and welcome students back.
• Ensure classroom routines are predictable so students can rejoin without disruption.

Recover Key Knowledge

• Begin lessons with a clear recap of prior learning and a worked example where appropriate.
• Use retrieval practice regularly so missed content is revisited naturally – Maths retrieval site.
• Topic checklists in classrooms to help students identify key gaps.
• Maintain clearly structured exercise books to support independent review.
• Use a consistent absence routine where possible, directing students to: 

• review examples
• complete the starter
• ask a peer before the teacher
• Keep lesson materials in one consistent location (where already in use)

• Promote asking for learning objective to look up on Corbettmaths, Mymaths or any other revision site

Rebuild Confidence and Momentum

• Revise in 5 has accessible entry tasks so all students can begin successfully.
• Prioritise current learning rather than completing all missed work.
• Use in-lesson tasks (e.g. correcting mistakes or completing examples) to help returning students engage immediately.
• Remove the expectation to “catch up everything” and focus on key knowledge gaps.
• Reinforce a “keep up, not catch up” mindset.

A Consistent, Sustainable Approach

• Embed routines that enable students to re-enter learning independently.
• Promote student responsibility for identifying and addressing gaps.
• Focus on rejoining learning quickly rather than reteaching missed lessons.
• Address gaps only where they prevent access to current learning.

Display of maths threads taught

What to do if you miss lessons poster?

Subject

Return to Learn strategy

Resources

Science

Our approach to supporting pupils returning to lessons after a short-term absence focuses on helping them reconnect socially, recover key knowledge, and rebuild confidence and momentum in their learning.

• Home Support Documents are shared with pupils and families on a termly basis. These provide links to a range of resources that complement classroom learning, including keyword lists, summary notes, video links and online lessons. These resources support pupils in recovering key knowledge and maintaining progress.
• Knowledge Organisers summarise the key content pupils are expected to learn within each topic. Paper copies are provided in class for inclusion in exercise books, and electronic versions are also shared for reference at home, enabling pupils to independently recover key knowledge following absence.
• If a pupil is absent from a lesson, a catch-up sticker will be added to their book. This identifies the key content missed and signposts relevant resources to support independent catch-up during “Revise in Five” time at the start of the next lesson. This structured approach helps pupils rebuild confidence and momentum in their learning.
• Pupils are encouraged to support one another in catching up, helping them to reconnect sociallyas well as academically. Acts of support are recognised through the awarding of Kindness House Points, promoting a positive and collaborative classroom environment.

Home support documents

Knowledge organisers

Catch-up stickers

Return to Learn classroom information posters

Subject

Return to Learn strategy

Resources

Business

• Maintain a centralised Microsoft Teams area containing lesson PowerPoints, key learning resources, coursework instructions, assignment briefs, knowledge organisers, model answers, and other essential materials, with a clear and consistent folder structure to enable students to easily access missed learning.
• Identify and communicate the essential knowledge, skills, and tasks that students need to prioritise on their return and direct them to the specific lessons, resources, and learning activities that will help them fill the gaps.
• Allow reasonable time for students to catch up on missed work and assessments. Set mutually agreed deadlines for this whilst recognising that longer absences may require a phased return to learning.
• Use ‘Revise in 5’ retrieval activities to identify gaps in understanding and inform further support.
• Pair students with a peer buddy, where appropriate, to help them understand missed learning and expectations. Ensure that the seating plan is amended to accommodate this.
• Ensure key assessment information, coursework milestones, and examination requirements are clearly communicated.
• Encourage students to take responsibility for engaging with catch-up activities and seeking support when needed.
• Liaise with pastoral staff, SEND staff, and parents/carers where additional support is required.
• Review the effectiveness of support provided and adapt strategies to ensure students can successfully re-engage with the curriculum.

Subject

Return to Learn strategy

Resources

Computing

Reconnect Socially

• (KS3) Seat returning students next to a reliable peer who can quickly orientate them to the lesson. Share skills taught and support. (KS4) Seat returning students next to a similar levelled peer. Check in.

Recover Key Knowledge

• Begin lessons with a clear recap of prior learning and a worked example where appropriate. (KS3) Share and discuss skills taught and where they might be applied. Peer to support. Overview of term topic. (KS4) Begin lessons with a clear recap of prior learning and a revise in 5. Check in and personalise catch-up. 

Rebuild Confidence and Momentum

• Revise in 5 has accessible entry tasks so all students can begin successfully. (KS4) Check-in and personalised catch-up

Craig and Dave.

Isaac Computing.

Subject

Return to Learn strategy

Resources

Drama

The following points acknowledge that in Drama, while written work and theory can be caught up independently, practical ensemble work requires collaboration and careful reintegration.

Reconnect Socially

• Students are welcomed back into their rehearsal or working group and given a clear overview of what has been achieved.
• Peer support is used to help students rejoin practical activities, with group members sharing rehearsal notes, blocking and character decisions.
• Teachers check in with students at the start of the lesson to ensure they understand their role and expectations.
• Students are encouraged to communicate with their peers to stay informed about rehearsal schedules and collaborative tasks.

Recover Key Knowledge

• Teachers identify the essential learning from missed lessons and direct students to the most important content first.
• Students can seek clarification from the teacher during agreed catch-up opportunities or at the beginning/end of lessons. After school or lunch time sessions are available for one-to-one input.

Rebuild confidence and momentum

• Students are supported to re-engage with practical work. Teachers provide clear next steps so students know exactly what they need to complete.
• Missed rehearsal material is revisited where feasible, recognising that practical learning is collaborative and cannot always be fully replicated.
• Regular verbal feedback helps students identify strengths and prioritise areas for improvement.

Subject

Return to Learn strategy

Resources

DT

Reconnect socially with student.

• Staff to maintain good relationships and welcome students to the room as expected.
• Pair students with a ‘buddy’ (high attendance) to support with missed content 
• Build in low-stake collaborative tasks (definitions, summaries) 

Recover Key knowledge 

• Lesson summaries, with linked gap-fill worksheets to check understanding
• Visual summaries (diagrams, step-by step) with missing labels/ description for completion 
• Continuation of ‘revise in 5’ to recap previous lesson topics 

Rebuild confidence and momentum 

• Sequence catch-up so students quickly rejoin practical work, using summaries to bridge gaps 
• Use model answers so students can self-check and see what a good one looks like 
• Provide clear next steps linked to lesson summaries

Lesson summary sheets to support gap fill tasks 

Visual summaries/ prompt sheets 

PLCs for GCSE topics 

Subject

Return to Learn strategy

Resources

Health and 

Social care

Reconnect socially

• Friendly, reassuring welcome back into the classroom
• Seating plan adaptable for those that need a buddy on return/seated closer to teacher

Recover key knowledge

• Revise in 5 to recap prior knowledge/build on knowledge 
• Visuals on board to aid learning/key terms
• PLCs to guide sequence of lessons and to inform pupil of content missed
• Knowledge organisers

Rebuild confidence and momentum

• Coursework lesson – continue where they have left off previously – additional lunch/afterschool offered to ensure they meet deadline with support.
• Learning based lesson – knowledge organisers for each topic
• Comp 3 – exam. Access online revision platform

Knowledge organisers

PLCs for each component 

Y11 – login to erevision platform

Subject

Return to Learn strategy

Resources

Geography

Reconnect socially 

• Staff to welcome students at the door and support them to reconnect with their learning environment.
• Ensure seating plan is supportive of the individual's needs. 

Recover key knowledge 

• Curriculum roadmap in exercise books so students are aware of their learning journey
• Topic overview sheet at the start of the topic so students are clear what is being covered.
• Lesson summary sheets provided with a glossary of the key terms for learning missed along with comprehension questions to monitor understanding.
• Regular ‘Revise in 5’ factual recap and retrieval activities at the beginning of lessons, covering previous content.
• Keyword home learning booklets (Y7-11) and Educake quizzes (Y10-11) to ensure all relevant vocabulary and factual knowledge is covered.
• Knowledge organiser home learning set to create opportunities to revise and fill in any gaps in learning.
• Targeted revision guides for years 10 and 11.

Rebuild confidence and momentum

• Use model answers so students can self-check and see what a good one looks like.
• Address gaps in learning through monitoring of comprehension questions on summary sheets and class notes.
• Provide time for students to engage with summary sheets at the beginning of lessons as opposed to completing revise in 5.
• Regular informal check ins with pupils as part of classroom circulation to address gaps that could prevent access to current learning

Key word booklets (7-13) and past paper booklets (10-13)

Knowledge organisers set as home learning

Topic overview sheets in books

Curriculum roadmap in books

Educake for Y10 and 11

Subject

Return to Learn strategy

Resources

History

Reconnect socially 

• Staff maintain an unconditional positive regard to all our students when they return following periods of absence.

Recover key knowledge 

• Topic checklists and timelines in books to help students identify any missed content in class.
• Signposting to support materials available on the school website so that students can catch up outside of class.
• Regular ‘Revise in 5’ factual recap and retrieval activities at the beginning of lessons, covering previous content.
• Keyword home learning booklets (Y7-9) and Educake quizzes (Y10-11) to ensure all relevant vocabulary and factual knowledge is covered.
• Knowledge organiser home learning set to create opportunities to revise and fill in any gaps in learning.
• End of unit knowledge tests to check recall and understanding.

Rebuild confidence and momentum

• Prioritise current learning rather than completing all missed work
• Remove the expectation to “catch up everything” and focus on key knowledge gaps

Guides to learning available on the school website

Home learning booklets

Knowledge organisers set as home learning

Topic checklists in student books

Educake for Y10 and 11

Subject

Return to Learn strategy

Resources

MFL

Return to Learn noticeboard outside F16 with current topic information, assessment questions, and vocab book pages.

Vocab books from Sept ‘26 will have a page on absence to support students in their home learning.

Students are also encouraged to contact staff by email if they are away.

Noticeboard

Vocab books

Email and online resources

Subject

Return to Learn strategy

Resources

RE

Reconnect socially 

• Staff maintain an unconditional positive regard for all students when they return following periods of absence.
• Staff welcome students back positively and avoid making them feel penalised for absence.
• Where appropriate, staff check that students know what support is available to help them re-engage with learning.

Recover key knowledge 

• Curriculum roadmaps in exercise books help students understand their learning journey.
• Knowledge organisers are provided at the start of each topic to clearly outline key knowledge, vocabulary and topic checklists.
• Regular 'Revise in 5' retrieval activities at the start of lessons revisit prior learning and identify knowledge gaps.
• End-of-unit knowledge tests check recall and understanding of core content.
• Keyword home-learning booklets (Years 7–11) support the development and consolidation of subject vocabulary.
• Students returning from absence are directed to the knowledge organiser and key learning rather than all missed lesson tasks.

Rebuild confidence and momentum

• Prioritise access to current learning rather than requiring completion of all missed work.
• Use regular informal check-ins during classroom circulation to identify and address gaps that may hinder participation.
• Provide scaffolds such as vocabulary banks, model answers and sentence starters where needed.
• Recognise and celebrate progress, effort and successful re-engagement with learning.
• Ensure any catch-up activities focus on the most important knowledge needed to access the curriculum.

Return to learn lesson by lesson overview tables available on KHS website with signposted resources. 

Knowledge organisers / lesson checklists in books for each topic

Key word home learning booklets

PLCS for KS4 and KS5

Subject

Return to Learn strategy

Resources

PE

Reconnect socially

• Friendly, reassuring welcome back into the classroom.
• Allow students to find the information and understand what they are being asked to do in a relaxed non-judgemental way.

Learn Key Knowledge

• GCSE PE and BTEC Sport Level 3 students will be given the missing information from lessons through The EverLearner online learning platform.
• The work will include videos and checkpoints.
• Student PLC’s will be added to their books/notes.

Rebuild Confidence and Momentum

• Students will be set low-stakes questions in line with the rest of the cohort which need to be completed to a minimum standard. These questions can be retaken as many times as needed to achieve the desired outcomes (70% minimum target).

The EverLearner online learning platform.

GCSE/BTEC Revision guides.

Subject

Return to Learn strategy

Resources

Media

19 CSPs (Close Study Products) covered in Year 10 and 11. 

Each CSP has its own Return to Learn sheet with the learning points, links to appropriate online learning and questions to check understanding.

Coursework will be caught up with teacher intervention.

Individual support from Media teachers where appropriate.

Unconditional Positive Regard throughout.