Teaching and Learning Policy

Aims
We are committed to providing challenging learning experiences for
every child.

• To provide learning experiences that are appropriate to the children's developmental stage and ability
• To encourage the development of independent, confident and creative children who are able to apply their knowledge
• To raise achievement by establishing and maintaining good practice within a calm and orderly atmosphere
• To be consistent across the school in our approach to teaching and learning

The Learning Process
The learning process should be structured to provide opportunities for:-

• The acquisition and extension of skills and concepts and the application of those skills in a variety of situations
• Widening and increasing pupils knowledge
• Pupils to make choices and participate in decisions
• Pupils on their own, and together with the teacher, to set targets for further improvement
• Listening, questioning and discussing
• First hand experience
• Investigative work
• Developing independence
• Growing self esteem
• Communicating their findings in a variety of ways
• Pupils to work individually and as part of a co-operative group
• All pupils to contribute
• Visiting places of interest relevant to their work

Teaching Strategies
We believe that the best way to achieve these aims is through a range of teaching strategies

• Whole class teaching, where fundamental skills may be introduced.
• A variety of pupil grouping - mixed age classes and single age setting
• Within each class whole class teaching, group work and individual work are used where and when appropriate
• Discussion and collaborative activities are encouraged
• Pupils are encouraged to self evaluate and evaluate each others work and outcomes

Assessment
In line with the school's assessment policy formative assessment is used to guide the progress of individual pupils. It involves identifying each child's progress in each area of the curriculum, determining what each child has learned and what therefore should be next in his or her learning. Suitable tasks for assessment include:-

• Discussion between teacher and pupil
• Use of short tests - relevant to a unit of work
• Marking and monitoring of class work
• Teacher observation of pupils particularly during practical tasks

The Learning Environment
When planning their work teachers are asked to bear in mind the following characteristics:-

• Every child should feel valued as an individual and as a member of the group with a unique contribution to make
• A stimulating environment should be provided to encourage pupils in the development of their learning attitudes
• Children should be encouraged to develop strategies for independent and co-operative learning
• Every child is entitled to work in an environment in which they feel safe and learning can take place for all pupils
• Every child should develop a respect for the learning environment and recognise the rights and needs of other people.

Monitoring of Teaching and Learning
The quality of teaching and learning throughout the school will be monitored by all the teachers in the school in a variety of ways:-

• Classroom observations by pairs and individual members of the SLT
• Work sampling by the Headteacher, Key Stage Leaders and
  Subject Leaders
• Pupil interviews
• Link Governor visits