{"id":1058,"date":"2015-09-09T13:43:05","date_gmt":"2015-09-09T13:43:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/nl\/stambrosehsblog\/?page_id=1058"},"modified":"2018-03-13T13:47:18","modified_gmt":"2018-03-13T13:47:18","slug":"learning-teaching","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/nl\/stambrosehsblog\/learning-teaching\/","title":{"rendered":"Learning & Teaching"},"content":{"rendered":"

Introduction<\/strong><\/p>\n

An improving school is one, which accepts that Learning and Teaching is at its heart and is its core business. For the Catholic school these guiding principles are the cornerstone of a holistic approach to education, which values the development and formation of the child, in partnership with parents and other agencies. With this in mind learners can achieve their potential intellectually, socially and spiritually as active participants in our society.<\/p>\n

Rationale<\/strong><\/p>\n

Colleagues would agree that the characteristics, which underpin the philosophy outlined above, should form the key features of our school\u2019s policy on Learning and Teaching. These characteristics should include generic approaches to Learning and Teaching such as:
\n\u00b7 Good planning and preparation
\n\u00b7 Varied approaches to learning and teaching which stimulate students to learn
\n\u00b7 Inclusion and flexibility
\n\u00b7 The encouragement and promotion of enthusiasm for learning
\n\u00b7 The implementation of strategies to promote positive teacher-pupil interactions
\n\u00b7 The encouragement of students in taking responsibility for their own learning
\n\u00b7 Assessment to enhance learning<\/p>\n

While this list is not exhaustive it is self-evident that inherent in these characteristics is the need to establish a school ethos which values Learning and Teaching and the self-evaluation process as a means to improving effectiveness. Such an ethos is based on the fact that we value our pupils and believe that we can assist them in their journey of success. We believe that we can help them become better human beings, better citizens and better learners. We seek to achieve these targets through the development of positive relationships within and out with the classroom. Specifically in the classroom our task is to enhance the knowledge, which our children have, to nurture the understandings, which are part of their being, and to help them grow in wisdom, which they will need throughout the rest of their lives.<\/p>\n

Learning and Teaching are the bricks upon which success in education is built. By achieving excellence in Learning and Teaching we can be assured that our relationships in St Ambrose will be characterised by respect and fairness. We can be further assured that our pupils will achieve the success of which they are capable. Moreover, we can be optimistic that our pupils will develop as individuals whose maturity is obvious in their self-confidence, in their pride in the school and in their own achievements.
\nOne of the guiding principles in updating our Learning and Teaching policy is to ensure that it will be of practical assistance in the classroom and that it will prove to be a valuable asset in meeting the stated aims.<\/p>\n

Aims<\/strong>
\nThe aims of our policy on Learning and Teaching in St Ambrose should be consistent with the aims of A Curriculum for Excellence.
\nTherefore, our task is to:<\/p>\n

1. Provide the highest quality of education and promote high expectations of achievement<\/p>\n

2. Provide active learning experiences<\/p>\n

3. Adopt a consistent approach to support attitudes and policies in
\nkeeping with the school\u2019s ethos<\/p>\n

4. Produce problem solvers who are ICT efficient<\/p>\n

5. Produce cooperative, collaborative citizens<\/p>\n

6. Encourage all pupils to develop their abilities to the full<\/p>\n

7. Encourage our pupils to take responsibility for their own learning<\/p>\n

8. Encourage social awareness and respect for different cultures and beliefs<\/p>\n

9. Develop in our pupils an understanding of the teaching of the church<\/p>\n

10. Nurture the development of the whole person<\/p>\n

11. Meet the needs and aspirations of all pupils<\/p>\n

12. Recognise and celebrate success<\/p>\n

So that ultimately we produce:<\/p>\n

\u00b7 Successful learners
\n\u00b7 Confident individuals
\n\u00b7 Responsible citizens
\n\u00b7 Effective contributors<\/p>\n

Working with Partners<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Where learning and teaching is excellent, all partners work together to apply key aims outlined in the rationale. But teachers have a pivotal role. When pupils are asked they tend to focus on how teachers treat them. Teachers and pupils should have high expectations of one another in order to maximize the opportunities within the learning environment. Parents have a central role to play in supporting key aspects of the learning process and ensuring their children consistently work towards achieving their potential.<\/p>\n

Pupils<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Successful Learners are those who:<\/p>\n

\u00b7 Are aware of how they learn and take responsibility for their own learning both in class and at home
\n\u00b7 Are prepared for their lessons
\n\u00b7 Set high but realistic targets and regularly review their progress to strive for improvement and raise achievement
\n\u00b7 Use all resources available and recognise opportunities to extend their knowledge and skills
\n\u00b7 Are self-motivated, enthusiastic and acknowledge that better behaviour leads to better learning
\n\u00b7 Interact with peers and teachers<\/p>\n

Teachers<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Successful teachers are those who:<\/p>\n

\u00b7 Plan and evaluate their lessons and ensure that all learners are challenged at an appropriate level
\n\u00b7 Create a classroom atmosphere which promotes high standards of attainment and behaviour
\n\u00b7 Have high but realistic expectations of all learners
\n\u00b7 Use a range of methodologies
\n\u00b7 Effectively manage resources (including ICT), in catering for the learning and individual needs of the pupils
\n\u00b7 Support pupils to devise their own learning targets
\n\u00b7 Promote social interaction and good manners
\n\u00b7 Promote mutual respect to ensure a positive learning experience for all
\n\u00b7 Communicate and share information regularly with all partners
\n\u00b7 Use all means of assessment
\n\u00b7 Encourage, praise and value the contributions of all learners and regularly recognise success<\/p>\n

Parents<\/strong> <\/em><\/p>\n

As partners they:
\n\u00b7 Support efforts to ensure quality educational experiences within a positive learning environment
\n\u00b7 Cooperate with all other partners in encouraging their children to achieve their potential
\n\u00b7 Communicate freely with key members of staff to discuss all aspects of their child\u2019s progress in learning and pastoral needs
\n\u00b7 Acknowledge that the behaviour of their children can influence the learning environment<\/p>\n

Principal Teachers (Curriculum):<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

\u00b7 Ensure effective learning and teaching takes place within the department
\n\u00b7 Support the professional development of all teachers within the department and include them in the process of development planning
\n\u00b7 Through self evaluation, continue to improve standards
\n\u00b7 Monitor classroom practice and identify development needs in order to support the changing role of the teacher<\/p>\n

Pupil Support staff<\/strong> <\/em><\/p>\n

will increase pupils\u2019 engagement with learning by:
\n\u00b7 Monitoring attendance and timekeeping
\n\u00b7 Cultivating a positive ethos as regards discipline, effort and attitude
\n\u00b7 Developing the PSHE programme which promotes target setting, the value of homework and the importance of study skills
\n\u00b7 Working with the home to achieve positive outcomes in all aspects of the pupils\u2019 development<\/p>\n

Additional support staff<\/strong> <\/em><\/p>\n

Will work in cooperation with teachers to:
\n\u00b7 Extend support in a number of areas to support pupils in the classroom
\n\u00b7 Tailor resources
\n\u00b7 Cultivate a network of support
\n\u00b7 Provide feedback as required<\/p>\n

The Senior Management Team<\/strong> <\/em><\/p>\n

will manage learning and teaching by:
\n\u00b7 Supporting staff and developing positive working relationships
\n\u00b7 Monitoring the work of staff and encouraging high standards
\n\u00b7 Highlighting examples of good practice and recognising achievement<\/p>\n

Self-evaluation<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Self-evaluation of the quality of learning and teaching is a fundamental responsibility of all teaching staff. The section below should be consistently used by all of us and kept in our planners, [possibly one for each class], to reflect on how we teach and how learners learn. We need to record, evaluate and discuss the impact of the following with colleagues and learners to highlight both good practice and development needs.<\/p>\n

In Learning\u2026\u2026.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

\u00b7 Our key learning aim is to improve the quality of learning experiences for all pupils in the school
\n\u00b7 Young people who are motivated, enthusiastic and well behaved will benefit from their classroom experiences
\n\u00b7 Opportunities to work independently, in pairs and in groups will result in pupils taking responsibility for their own learning and enable them to co-operate effectively
\n\u00b7 Learners need to be working on tasks which match their needs, and learning at an appropriate pace
\n\u00b7 A learning environment which builds on pupils\u2019 prior attainment and abilities and leads to improvements in learning
\n\u00b7 Resources, including the use of ICT, should be used to stimulate pupils
\n\u00b7 Learners need to be challenged and supported as the need arises<\/p>\n

When Teaching\u2026\u2026.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

\u00b7 Teachers share the content, aims and purposes of lessons with pupils.
\n\u00b7 Explanations, instructions and directions are expressed clearly
\n\u00b7 A range of teaching approaches is used including the skilful use of questioning
\n\u00b7 Opportunities for pupils to learn from one another are planned
\n\u00b7 Interactions involving teacher and pupils are evident
\n\u00b7 Praise and feedback are used effectively
\n\u00b7 Teachers and pupils have high expectations
\n\u00b7 Pupils are actively involved in learning
\n\u00b7 Homework is regular and appropriate
\n\u00b7 Teachers differentiate effectively
\n\u00b7 Staff show care and concern for individuals
\n\u00b7 The criteria for success is shared with learners<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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