LEARNING AND TEACHING AT TUXFORD SCHOOL

The Government or LEA has, over the years, introduced a number of strategies or projects to enhance the learning within schools. These have focused on different aspects of the learning process. The projects or strategies have often identified good practice already in our schools and developed printed resources or provided in-service training to disseminate the ideas.

At present, the school is involved in the following major learning projects:

KS3 Strategy

KS4 Strategy

Thinking Skills 3 – 16

Thinking Skills KS4

Learning 2 Learn

Focus on Learning

Learning Coaches

Gifted and Talented

KS3 Strategy

This has been active for a number of years and at Tuxford it is now at the stage of sustaining and extending the work undertaken by staff. It has developed a number of high quality strategies, in particular, in the areas of:

Intervention in English and Maths

Curriculum Transition KS2 to KS3

Lesson Structure, starters, plenaries and pace

Literacy across the Curriculum

If the school consistently applies these strategies over a period of years, then learning will be enhanced for many students.

KS4 Strategy

This became operational in September 2004 and looks at how teachers use assessments to inform planning and promote learning. This comes under the umbrella of Assessment for Learning AfL. Some of the pilot work will be undertaken in the Humanities Department and twilights sessions are now being used to update staff and disseminate ideas.

Thinking Skills 3 – 16

The Tuxford Family of Schools was part of the pilot project in 2003 – 2004. This involved joint in-services and working parties as an attempt was made to identify the thinking skills pupils use from 3 – 16 and then to adapt curriculum material to develop those skills in class. It helps to address the need for challenge within a lesson. The project has now been extended into 2004 – 2005 and an appropriate action plan has been constructed with the primary schools.

Thinking Skills KS4

This started in September 2004 and further details are being released by the LEA in the near future. The basic idea is to promote thinking skills at KS4 using coursework as a possible vehicle. It will involve three subjects initially.

Learning 2 Learn

L2L replaces the sessions in Years 7 and 8 that have previously been used for Whole Brain. Some of the materials from Whole Brain will be maintained e.g. brain trees, memory techniques and these will be complemented with other learning strategies.

Focus on Learning Project

This is the major strategy the school is using to spread the ideas and to measure the impact in the classroom of the numerous initiatives. It should give a coherency to the developments and ascertain the benefits to pupils and staff.

Learning Coaches

Learning coaches will help identify students in Y7 to Y11 who need study skill and organisation support. Some KS5 students will be supported in the transition to Post 16 studies.

Gifted and Talented

Students are identified as being gifted and talented and enrichment sessions take place across the school. Students are encouraged to participate in regional and national competitions. The strategy is being developed in KS4 and KS5.