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The Centre’s 1st ‘Social Learning - Learning Network’ - 2nd February 2017

“inspiring and thought provoking”

“my head is spinning with thoughts and ideas”

Just two of the comments that we have received after our first ‘Social Learning - Learning Network’. First of all we must thank Wormley School for hosting the first learning network meeting, secondly a big thank you to those who were able and willing to tell us their story to date and thirdly to all those who contributed to the discussions. During the meeting we:

1. Shared the 3 aims and 5 building blocks that underpin the work of the Centre.
2. Clarified the purpose and nature of the learning network itself.
3. Provided an insight into the methods behind establishing a social learning agenda - as we shared an assessment tool - ‘starting conversations’ - which is currently being developed with 5 Cambridgeshire Schools. We also shared some thoughts on evaluating impact.

At this point staff from three schools shared their journeys to date focussing on:

1. Why start the journey and three years later its impact on children as effective learners.
2. The development of ‘reasoning in the context of ‘notice, narrate and navigate’ and the importance of ‘pause moments’.
3. Establishing learning attributes using the 7Cs (from Educating Ruby by Bill Lucas and Guy Claxton), developing a language for learning.
4. Coaching as an ‘empowerment’ model for enhancing professional development and for extending the way in which children can manage their own learning.

During the discussion key messages were shared and included. Pupil Voice : How often do we seek children’s views, at what depth and for what purpose? Teaching : What is the role of the teacher? What does it mean to ‘facilitate’ learning and the skills involved in that? Do teachers have the confidence to ‘pause’ the activity to focus on the pace and depth of learning? Staff : Do we recognise the importance of building teams, identifying champions and the need  for trusting relationships? Strategic development :  To what extent are our decisions informed by ‘research’? Do we realise that “we don’t need to do it all on day one, its a journey” ? Ethos : Do we recognise that the school culture/ethos is the key driver, that this should be based on a clear and explicit set of values, principles and beliefs, that underpin all our decisions? With the most important question being:

Where do children fit into this big picture, as partners?

We hope to post some audio extracts of the meeting and the ideas shared soon.

The next ‘Social Learning - Learning Network’ 

again hosted by Wormley School, Broxbourne, Herts, EN10 6QA)

Thursday 18th May from 12:00pm until 3:00pm

If you would like to join us, or would like any further information,

please get in touch.