What is the crucial thing that made the difference?
The close focus on the specific learning needs of the targeted children combined with the excitement generated by the creative use of resources and ideas by the Leading Teachers. All of this was undertaken in a collaborative spirit of practice transfer.
What key resources would people who want to learn from your experience need access to?
- The Renewed Framework
- Support for Writing
- Talk for Writing
- Overcoming Barriers materials
- Securing Level documents
What CPD session and resources were particularly useful?
The LA launch of the project and network meetings attended by the Leading Teachers. The launch meeting allowed the Leading Teachers to meet their partner teachers and the Headteachers of their schools. Initial relationships were established here and the parties involved were able to agree diary dates and the focus of the first visit. The network meetings enabled a continuing dialogue between the Leading Teachers, LA consultants and Regional Advisers.
If another individual or school was attempting to replicate this work, where would they start and what would the essential elements be?
If a similar project was to be undertaken, we would recommend that once the target groups of children have been identified, the APP process should be undertaken jointly by the Leading Teacher and the supported teacher, with appropriate moderation, to ensure the validity of the assessments and to identify the gaps in children’s knowledge.
Other essential elements to include are joint planning and the use of well evidenced pedagogic approaches, such as guided group work. Although Leading Teachers can provide exciting, original and creative resources and ideas, it is also important that they use resources such as Support for Writing, Talk for Writing and Overcoming Barriers so that the supported schools have secure frameworks in which to develop the sustainability of initiatives.
What further developments are you planning to do (or would you like to see others do)?
Linking curricular targets to the identified areas of need within each cohort.
The ideal developments to build on this are
- All existing Leading Teachers were keen to continue being a part of the programme and attended the launch of this year’s programme in September 2009.
- Several of the teachers have agreed to support another school (making three in total including their own school).
