The learning continues

Posted on: 23 Nov 2017 by Weston Green School

Change is a part of life, as we all know, and we see and experience this each week in our own lives as well as at school. Whilst one of those changes may come in the form of a new Head at Weston Green in the summer, one thing that will not change is our core business - teaching and learning will always be the focus of all we do. Whilst there is a good deal of infrastructure around that (and particularly cultivating our nurturing environment), this is all aimed at supporting that focus - driving the most excellent, inspiring learning dynamic where every individual’s needs are met so that the children (and staff) do indeed experience that ‘learning with joyful enthusiasm’ we so crave.

At the start of the year, I told you of the innovative way in which we will be developing our teaching by introducing technology which enables teachers to self-video and then self-reflect (with a coach) on their lessons. The video technology ‘follows’ the teacher by tuning in to his/her microphone and hence it swivels (it is called ‘Swivl’) in response to teacher movement and voice. Other microphones can also capture pupil conversations and so there is a real 360 degree feedback.

All teachers have now either already used this or are booked to do so - much to the delight of the children who, at this early stage, cannot resist the temptation to be ‘on camera’! Once we are through this initial launch stage, the work in earnest will begin. It is an exciting innovation as it opens new and more powerful means of developing our already strong practice. It will lead to constant improvement as a result of those reflective conversations and, for a teaching team already hungry to excel, this is a wonderful tool to take us forward even faster - the most exciting thing being that this reinforces that core focus of delivering the most effective inspiring, individual learning.