p4. Core Principles

Ensure every learner succeeds: set high expectations

Demonstrate a commitment to every learner's success, making them feel included, secure and valued. Adapt teaching to the potential and needs of each individual, from the gifted and talented to those with special educational needs, and create a culture of respect for others and their learning, whatever their gender, social background or ethnic group. Set high expectations of learners - the effort they should put into learning in school and at home, and what they can achieve.

Build on what learners already know: structure and pace teaching so that they understand what is to be learnt, how and why

Establish what learners know and understand, correcting misconceptions where necessary. Set clear and appropriate learning goals, explain them, and make every lesson count. Actively convey knowledge and understanding of the curriculum and its key ideas and values, using appropriate language, with frameworks to help children organise their learning. Aim constantly to build secure foundations for subsequent learning.

Make learning of subjects and the curriculum vivid and real

Make full use of the opportunities offered by ICT and e-learning, whole class activities, modelling by subject experts, individual enquiry into issues within different subjects, links with home, the wider community, study support and wider learning beyond the classroom; making learning stimulating, and connected to learners' previous experience, and relevant to their wider goals and aspirations.

Make learning an enjoyable and challenging experience: stimulate learning through matching teaching techniques and strategies to a range of learning styles and needs

Use the space and time available, and the skills of other colleagues in the classroom, to create an environment for learning, and plan and deliver a range of activities that match the maturity of the learners and the material to be learned, reflect different learning preferences and involve high levels of time on task. Use creativity and imagination, and the resources offered by new technology, to engage, enthuse, challenge and support learners, and reward their effort and achievement.

Develop learning skills and personal qualities across the curriculum, inside and outside the classroom

Use lessons, particularly activities such as group problem solving, and opportunities beyond the classroom, not just to increase learners' knowledge and understanding of the curriculum, but also to strengthen their understanding, skills and attitudes about learning itself, and their ability to think systematically, manage information, and learn from others - so they can become effective, enthusiastic and independent learners.

Use assessment for learning to make individuals partners in their learning

Have a policy on marking which uses assessment for learning - learners' views as well as data on their performance - as well as assessment of learning, to inform subsequent planning and practice; help learners judge their work, reflect on how they learn and help each other learn; build respectful practitioner/learner relationships; and make learners active partners in setting future learning goals.