24th February 2020

WoW: supplementary

Communication Focuses

READING

• Reading Widely
• Reading for pleasure

WRITING

• Spelling of subject-specific vocabulary (tier 3)
• Use of WAGOLLs to scaffold (visualisers, mini-whiteboards)

ORACY

• Purposeful and structured communication with others

 

Teaching and Learning Priorities

• Climate for learning (DMC)
• Vocabulary (ACH)
• Purposeful Interactions by all (CRO)

This Week:

• Trainees – meetings Tuesday 1 and Wednesday 1 (9.15).
  • CPD on Thursday period 4 with PHO
• NQTs – RHU – Tuesday 2; JMJ Tuesday 3.
• No Briefing on Wednesday: Please complete the TDT audit (link emailed on Fri 14^th Feb)
• Drop-in CPD Session - Wednesday 26th Feb after school (A7 and A8) for all staff on visualisers and interactive screens (SAL, RLO, LCH, JMJ, SKE, DMC will share – followed by anyone else who wishes to). All invited to share good practice.

Reflect on Your Practice:

Teaching and Learning Policy: Feedback – Plan - Teach

As we continue to walk-through our Teaching and Learning Policy (Feedback – Plan – Teach), this week, we consider the ‘Teach’ element. This is what our policy says about ‘oracy’.  The key message is highlighted.  Please discuss within/between departments.

Oracy

Over the last two years, ‘purposeful interaction and talk’ has been a focus.  Cooperative structures have been re-launched to maximise participation and challenge.  The three main structures promoted are: think-pair-share, Round Robin and All Write Round Robin (also presented as a silent conversation). 

Oral rehearsal in preparation for writing tasks is essential.  Given the nature of our students, the opportunity to rehearse writing by discussing ideas with a partner or small group in standard English, not only improves their content, but their literacy. 

ORACY – BASICS@WLD · Be concise · Be clear · Be more explicit · Use strategies regularly, not as a one off… Make your students work harder than you

 

 

Quality of Education Report

The report was circulated before half-term.  The following next steps were identified. Clearly the report’s main message is that there is still a need for consistency in terms of classroom practice (including feedback and promoting a positive attitude to learning at all times). 

 

Top Tip Schedule

 

Subject Heads, please ensure that someone from your department is ready to share a ‘Top Tip’ on the designated date. 

24/02/2020 FRIDAY	Art
2/03/2020	Music
9/03/2020	Pastries and Progress Open Door Week
16/03/2020	Pastoral - PCs
23/03/2020	English
30/03/2020	Drama

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CPD Cascade

Study Groups 2019-20

A reminder of the key focuses within departments:

• Expressive Arts – improving engagement in Year 9
• Computing – Developing the use of Teams to allow learning beyond the classroom
• Mathematics – recall and retention
• Art – Engagement of boys
• English – use of knowledge organisers
• MFL – Speaking examination – extended pupil responses; Listening and reading: developing confidence
• Humanities - progress of middle attaining boys
• PE  – Link between theory at KS3 and KS4
• Technology – Developing the use of homework at KS3 to prepare students for KS4 course
• Science – personalised learning plans for each student in each science.

CPD Feedback

Reminder - Many teachers and HoDs are attending ‘deep dive’ CPD coordinated through the PTSA.  Please provide SLT links with a brief overview of useful ‘takeaways’ on your return.

Please find materials for previous Top Tips saved in WLDTeachers – Teaching and Learning – Top Tips.

 

CPD Audit

As we approach the half-way point in the year, I have spent some time reflecting on the CPD provision offered over the course of the year and also how it links with our overall priorities.  I have attached my thoughts - literally just thoughts - in the diagram emailed on Friday 14^th Feb (please read from your email)

As you know, everything that we do is clearly linked to our priorities and hopefully gives you approaches from which to choose.

Time has also been spent evaluating CPD provision with the Teacher Development Trust and an audit has been completed.  Please could you use the link emailed before half-term to complete the audit.  It should take approximately 15 minutes.  As payback for this, there will be no staff briefing this Wednesday.  SLT will cover duties to allow you time to complete.