“We believe children can consistently surprise us…but only if we let them,” explained deputy Head Teacher, Karen Dugan. West Thornton is a primary school rated by OFSTED as ‘outstanding’ that has been on an evolutionary journey for many years: it has seen the impact of promoting independent and pupil-led learning in the school and of promoting this as an alternative to more traditional models. The school, as a learning community, believes in offering learners an environment in which they can direct and control their own learning.
Vision
“We are a learning community which creates chances for dreamers, idea-makers and innovators to connect, thrive and outperform,” boasts their website confidently, before continuing, “we empower our children to use their skills as divergent thinkers, responsible role models and leaders, to carve out their own futures and become extraordinary citizens.” There’s no denying that West Thornton has ensured that this vision has become a reality and that the vision is made explicit and translated into all aspects of the life and work of the school, for pupils, staff, parents, carers and the wider community.
Learning outcomes shared
In achieving their learning outcomes (and in order to achieve them), pupils are fully engaged in their own learning and develop the skills and personal qualities that they will need in an ever changing world. Head Teacher Di Pumphrey makes this explicit, saying, “If you look at the skills our children need, it’s collaboration, teamwork, independent learning, time management, rising to the challenge – it’s all here; that’s what they all do every day”. It was very clear to Di and the leadership team that the pedagogy which would best enable this learning to happen, and would promote successful, self-motivated, life-long learners, would not be facilitated in their existing, Victorian classrooms.
More opportunities
More time to talk about learning
More helpful comments on marking
Less directing
More choice
More responsibility
More collaboration
More access to the best resources, including ICT.