Hi All.
After discussions with our SEP (Karen) it has become clearer how visitors to schools (!) observe learning in the classroom. I have listed below quotes from several headteachers whose schools have been inspected recently ... there should be no fears or surprises:
Inspectors are looking for...
"high levels of engagement of children..."
"use of questioning to develop learning..."
"checking understanding during the lesson..."
"use of feedback and reviewing the learning..."
Think of our Timeline Diagrams and AfL webs generated during our observations and consider which areas these quotes relate to...
"high levels of engagement of children..." -> Timeline, Learning Objective (do they know?)
"use of questioning to develop learning..."-> Higher order questioning,Big Picture, Pupil Feedback
"checking understanding during the lesson..."->Talk Partners, HOQ ,Mini-Plenary, Success Criteria
"use of feedback and reviewing the learning..."-> Feedback, Mini-Plenary, Reflection on Learning
* * *
We are on the right path! If we deliver the correct AfL web and maintain the childrens' attention then all is well. It's heartening to know (or at least to be reminded) that we have been working hard in all the right areas.
The diagram above is a clear reminder from last year's analysis though: don't forget to stop, reflect on success criteria and what it is we're working towards and then go again. This is the area we needed work on (compared to other areas).
Karen picked up this quote - which is a beauty...
"children should be working harder than their teachers in lessons"
Let's remember this one eh?
