... workshops, courses, meetings galore!
Lent term has seen St Peter’s staff venturing out on IAPs District meetings, participating in an INSET session on ‘coaching’ and attending a series of staff training opportunities on ‘My Reading Journey’ and ‘My Maths Journey’. We have also received training by our brilliant Head of Co-curricular, Mrs. Tyson, on how to book the perfect trip/visit/residential. All within the space of 15 work days!
It is crucial for our staff to continue their own professional development if we are to understand and implement all things teaching and learning in the best way possible.
We have a Drama expo to attend later in the term and Computing training on Purple Mash (this is an award–winning website for school children). Today, myself and Dr. Evans (Head of Sciences and Assessment Coordinator) are being hosted at Taunton School for a day focused on ‘Raising Academic Standards through Outstanding Teaching and Learning’.
Along with other delegates, we will listen to nationally acclaimed Science trainer, John Medlicott. I am sure we will ‘magpie’ plenty of ideas to implement with our pupils. You never stop learning as a teacher. The logistics of organising this training (whilst the school is alive and pulsing) is complicated, to say the least and reminded me of an image I collected a few weeks ago…
Here is 5DE learning about vibration with Miss Hoare. This sums up the complicated web of arranging training and then cover for that training … despite the work and communication that it takes to arrange – it is still very much worth it.
As my (nearly completed) Teaching and Learning policy stresses – it is clever teaching that ignites the difference in a pupil’s learning…but it is the pupil’s learning that ignites the clever teaching.
Teaching and Learning go hand in hand.
I remind you of the very first image I shared this academic year:
I have learned that it is very difficult to write down, into a policy, exactly what we do within our Teaching and Learning here at St Peter’s. However, this is nowhere near as challenging as actually implementing top-quality Teaching and Learning genuinely in the classroom. It takes highly trained professionals to do this within a classroom full of unique human beings who all learn differently. We have those professionals in abundance here.
Constant staff training and reflection about our curriculum, its delivery and its outcomes are vital in keeping The St Peter’s Baccalaureate fresh and relevant for our pupils.
Our most recent staff meeting was run by Mrs. Howard (English Teacher and Learning Success); she prepared us for National Storytelling Week (Week 4) and World Book Day (Week 7). For those that do not know, Mrs. Howard was part of the writing team on this year’s World Book Day resources – YES, nationwide in 2018, her plans, resources and lesson ideas are in use! Aren’t we lucky to have her as our English teacher?
And finally, whilst on late stayers, I spied upon these two Year 2 pupils; curled up, warm and cosy in the Learning Hub. Oblivious to phones ringing, doors banging or adults talking and totally absorbed in the books of their choice. This bodes well for National Storytelling week participation. Our children LOVE their enrichment experiences and this week promises to be a fine example of St Peter’s at its best.
When Mrs. Johnston first arrived she talked about creating a place for the children – a hub of information – a place that you could never stop learning in… I think we might have just created that space.
L. Ball, Deputy Head of Teaching & Learning
