Think. Know. Explain. Do.

Think.

Teaching our children how to be critical thinkers, to challenge, generate ideas, organise, evaluate and wonder is an important part of developing independence, resilience and creativity for them as learners.

How do we achieve this?

Highly skilled and knowledgeable teachers plan inspirational lessons and use carefully thought out and differentiated questioning to promote thinking. A considered lesson structure promotes high quality structured discussion and debate through the emphasis put on oracy throughout the curriculum. As children progress through the school, they are increasingly encouraged to consider how to investigate new areas of learning to promote independence and critical thinking.

Know.

The foundations of a child’s education and personal development come through providing them with a broad and balanced knowledge base upon which to build further understanding, form opinions and gain a thirst for future learning.

How do we achieve this?

Our learners engage in a broad, progressive and sequential curriculum, planned to ensure that children learn and most importantly, remember what they are taught. Teachers plan for experiences which engage and empower the children, maintain very high expectations and ensure that reading is at the heart of the learning process. Both subtly and explicitly, links are made between subjects across the curriculum to embed skills and understanding.

Explain.

The ability of a young person to communicate their thinking, ideas and knowledge opens the doors to learning and also provides a tool for them to demonstrate what they think, have learnt or understood. The process of learning can be significantly enhanced through hearing what others have to say, before synthesizing into one’s own understanding. Giving children the tools to explain is a fundamental part of our curriculum.

How do we achieve this?

Learning how to write, present, discuss and debate are carefully built into learning sequences. From Early Years, our children are encouraged to enjoy communicating in writing.  Moving through the school, high expectations of the content and presentation of work are maintained and opportunities for writing for a variety of purposes, in a variety of subjects are built into the curriculum.

Prioritising teaching children the skills of oracy by providing very regular and structured opportunities, children develop the physical, linguistic, cognitive and social and emotional skills necessary to communicate verbally in a range of situations.

Do.

Practical activities put learning into context, enabling children to weave together their experiences to improve their understanding and to help them remember. As well as being an important part of our academic curriculum, ‘doing’ also plays a significant role in promoting the personal development of our pupils.

How do we achieve this?

Through enrichment and a practical approach to learning, the curriculum of our school engages the pupils. This may be through research and investigation in topic or science work; learning through practical or independent activities, such as re-enactment of a Celtic battle, or leadership of an enterprise project; or partaking in competitive situations through sports or debating for example. To complement this our carefully considered educational visit programme, supports the curriculum, develops aspiration and provides enjoyment for our learners.