Our teaching and learning framework
Children naturally need different things at different ages and we know all learn differently. So, we tailor our approach to each stage of their development and to the individual.
How we make learning stick
Our approach to teaching and learning is guided by leading research and what we know about children and how they learn best at each stage of their development.
It’s also guided by the fact that naturally, every child will be different.
They’ll possess varied skills, different talents and diverse perspectives. We know some will learn best by doing, others during quiet thinking, many through play. And what sparks the imagination of one, won’t always with another.
So how do we make learning stick? We cultivate the right conditions for it to occur.
At SCOTS PGC that looks like –
- Great teachers who understand kids
- Providing feedback and tracking progress
- One teaching and learning framework for many different learners
- A broad, balanced curriculum with a real world and community focus
Great teachers
When it comes to the learning experience, great teachers make the difference. At SCOTS PGC we believe great teachers –
- Engage, motivate, challenge and inspire
- Know each child – who they are and how they’re tracking
- Set and hold high expectations
- Listen to what kids have to say
- Build and maintain strong relationships based on trust and authenticity
- Expect great things
- Create a safe space to learn from mistakes
This helps to cultivate effective learners who –
- Are willing to try new things
- Will work collaboratively with their teachers and peers
- Seek and expect feedback from their teachers
- Remain intrigued and curious about the world around them
- Feel supported, challenged and inspired
- Persevere when things get tough
Feedback and progress
One of the most important things we can do is provide our boys and girls with feedback. For us, effective feedback is both positive and constructive and it’s how we create a culture of learning. While assessment is one way of providing feedback, we believe a continuous approach is far more valuable when it comes to helping students improve.
An individual approach
Our framework enables us to develop and deliver, with consistency, our curriculum and at the same time, provides the flexibility for our teachers to differentiate — or put simply — shape the learning experience around each individual’s needs. ‘Same destination, alternative route’ best captures differentiation in action and you’ll regularly find our teachers changing the way they deliver content to cater for different learning styles.
Four learning zones, three learning lenses
Our formal curriculum encourages boys and girls to look and learn through three distinct lenses – self, community and the wider world. These, together with our four learning zones – communication, culture, discovery and work ready – allow our students to better understand themselves as they learn about and interact with the world around them.