Teaching and Learning Policy
All teachers at Les Beaucamps School are expected to be competent professionals. OFSTED has identified seven groups of teaching skills which have a major impact on students' learning. (These skills have recently been analysed further in an extensive report on 'what makes a good teacher' by the consultants, Hay McBer).Our aim is that students should become autonomous learners who maintain a lifelong commitment to the learning process.Colleagues at Les Beaucamps School should be competent and confident in these key areas:
High Expectations of Students
· Students should be encouraged to have high standards of effort, accuracy
and presentation.
· Lessons should be tailored appropriately to challenge all students.
· Motivational strategies should be varied for different students.
· Students should be encouraged to take responsibility for their own
learning.
Planning
· A clear plan/outline for the lesson with its objectives should be
communicated to students at the start of the lesson.
· Necessary resources should be ready for the class.
· Lesson objectives should be linked to department Policy and Practice
documents and, when appropriate, the National Curriculum.
· Students' learning should be reviewed with them at the end of the lesson.
Methods and Strategies
Check list:
Do you:
· Involve all students in the lesson?
· Use a variety of activities/learning methods?
· Apply teaching methods appropriate to national curriculum objectives?
· Use a variety of questioning techniques to probe students' knowledge
and understanding?
· Encourage the students to use a variety of problem-solving techniques?
· Give clear instructions and explanations?
· Ensure practical activity has a clear purpose in improving students'
understanding or achievement?
· Listen and respond to students?
Student Management/Discipline
Check list:
Do you:
· Keep the students on task (doing the intended exercise) throughout
the lesson?
· Correct bad behaviour immediately?
· Praise good achievement and effort?
· Treat different children fairly?
· Manage support teachers/staff well?
Time and Resource Management
Check list:
Do you:
· Structure the lesson to use the time available well?
· Ensure the lesson lasts for the planned time?
· Use learning resources to enhance students' opportunities?
· Use an appropriate pace?
· Allocate your time fairly among students?
Assessment
Check list:
Do you:
· Focus on understanding and meaning? Factual memory? Skills mastery?
Applications in real-life settings?
· Use tests and competitions to assess understanding?
· Recognise misconceptions and clear them up?
· Provide evidence of students' written work having been marked or otherwise
assessed?
· Encourage students to do better next time?
* Assessment procedures need to be clearly understood within the school so as to ensure consistency and fairness. Staff need to know well the school's ARR policy.
Homework
· Homework should be set to consolidate or extend the learning in a lesson
or series of lessons.
· Homework should be followed up on in subsequent lessons so that it
is not viewed as a 'bolt on' activity. Homework should be marked and returned
to students as soon as is possible.
· Students need to be made aware of the learning objectives for homework.
· Homework should be set and marked according to school and department
policy. Colleagues should be well aware of the school's Homework Policy.
_____________
In addition to the 7 areas identified above, colleagues should ensure that their classroom environment is comfortable, well organised and attractive. Students' work should be regularly on display.
_____________
Finally, what the students say makes a good teacher:
A good teacher ...
is kind
is generous
listens to you
encourages you
has faith in you
keeps confidences
likes teaching children
likes teaching their subject
takes time to explain things
helps you when you're stuck
tells you how you are doing
allows you to have your say
doesn't give up on you
cares for your opinion
makes you feel clever
treats people equally
stands up for you
makes allowances
tells the truth
is forgiving
Descriptions by Year 8 students
July, 2000