Teaching & Learning Policy
Teaching and Learning policy
INTRODUCTION
New Direction School recognises that learning should be a rewarding and enjoyable
experience for everyone; it should be fun. Through good teaching, pupils should be
equipped with the skills, knowledge and understanding necessary to be able to make
informed choices about the important things in their lives. Appropriate teaching and
learning experiences help pupils to lead happy and rewarding lives.
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
It is acknowledged that all people learn best in different ways, and because of this
varied learning environments are provided that supports pupils in the development of
their skills and abilities to the full potential.
Through good teaching the school aims to:
- enable all pupils to become confident, resourceful, enquiring and independent learners;
- foster a pupil’s self-esteem and help them build positive relationships with other people;
- develop a pupil’s self-respect and encourage them to respect the ideas, attitudes, values and feelings of others;
- show respect for all cultures and, in so doing, to promote positive attitudes towards other people;
- enable all pupils to understand their community and help them feel valued as part of this community;
- help all pupils grow into reliable, independent and positive citizens.
EFFECTIVE LEARNING
It is acknowledged that people learn in many different ways. The school recognises the need to develop strategies that allow all pupils to learn in ways that best suit them. These different forms are taken into account when planning teaching and learning styles.
The school provides opportunities whenever possible for pupils to learn in different
ways. These include:
- investigation and problem solving;
- research and finding out;
- group work;
- paired work;
- independent work;
- whole-class work;
- asking and answering questions;
- use of the computer;
- fieldwork and visits to places of educational interest;
- creative activities;
- watching television and responding to musical or recorded material;
- debates, role-plays and oral presentations;
- designing and making things; and
- participation in physical activity.
All pupils are encouraged to take responsibility for their own learning, to be involved
as far as possible in reviewing the way they learn, and to reflect on how best they
learn.
EFFECTIVE TEACHING
Effective teaching and learning is based on the knowledge that staff have of each
pupil’s level of attainment. The focus is to develop further the knowledge and skills of
the pupils. All tasks should be appropriate to each pupil’s level of ability. When
planning work for pupils with learning difficulties regard should be given to
information and targets contained in the pupil’s individual Education Plans (IEP).
Academic targets should be set for the pupils in each academic year and these are to
be shared with pupils and their parent/carers/ and social workers/carers. Progress of
each pupil is regularly reviewed at intervals and revised targets set.
Lessons are planned with clear learning objectives and contain information about the tasks, the resources and support needed, and the intended learning outcomes for specific pupils. All lessons are evaluated in terms of individual pupil progress, engagement, behaviour and any modifications that were made to the format of the lesson.
Good working relationships are developed with all pupils in the class. They are
treated with kindness, fairness and respect, and provided with equal opportunity to
take part in class activities. All staff follow the school policy with regard to discipline
and classroom management. A class code of conduct should be agreed with all
pupils, and there is an expectation that all pupils will comply with the classroom rules.
Pupils are praised for their efforts and, by so doing; a positive attitude is built up
towards school and learning. There should be good behaviour at all times, and if
pupils misbehave the guidelines for sanctions as outlined in the school behaviour
policy should be adhered to.
All tasks and activities planned should be safe. Risk assessments of all activities, in
and out of school, and in new environments, are carried out and documented before
the event.
The school provides an attractive learning environment. Displays should be changed
at least once a term to ensure that the classroom reflects the topics studied by the
pupils. There are opportunities for all pupils to display their best work, and if need be
in a protected display. A stimulating environment sets the climate for learning and
promotes independent use of resources and high-quality work by the pupils.
Teaching staff should be aware of their strengths and weaknesses and plan their
professional development needs accordingly. Support is given by senior managers in
developing teacher’s skills, so that they can continually improve their practice.
THE ROLE OF THE HEADTEACHER
The proprietor is responsible for determining, supporting ,
monitoring and reviewing the policy on teaching and learning. In
particular they:
- support the use of appropriate teaching strategies by allocating resources effectively;
- ensure that the school buildings and premises are best used to support successful teaching and learning;
- monitor teaching strategies in the light of health and safety regulations;
- monitor how effective teaching and learning strategies are in terms of raising pupil attainment and achievement;
- ensure that staff development and performance management policies promote good quality teaching;
- monitor the effectiveness of the school’s teaching and learning policy through the school self-review processes.
PARENT/CARERS/ AND SOCIAL WORKERS/CARERS
Information should be sent to parent/carers and social workers at the end of each
term in which the topics that the pupils will be studying during that term should be
outlined. Regular reports to parent/carers/ and social workers should also be sent in
which the progress made each pupil reported.
APPROVAL
This policy was approved at a meeting with the Proprietor and Key Staff in August 2017.
