Pedagogy

Ysgol Penmaes is fortunate to have a designated pedagogy lead who works in collaboration with other leads and the Local Authority.

Pedagogy is at the heart of the curriculum at Penmaes. In designing our curriculum, we have considered the pedagogical approaches we need to employ to support our pupils in realising the four purposes. Penmaes seeks to develop a strong vision of learning and teaching which considers the ‘why’ and ‘how’ as well as the ‘what’. The vision recognises the integral role of the learning environment in supporting effective learning.

Ysgol Penmaes is on a journey to ensure that practitioners have a deep and thorough understanding of the pedagogical principles and the research on which they are based. Effective pedagogy relies on an in-depth understanding of child and adolescent development. It involves exploring and reflecting on which teaching strategies will best support learning in a given context, and inquiring about the impact of this on our pupils.

Curriculum design for pupils of all ages and abilities is underpinned by pedagogical principles. These reflect well-documented evidence about effective pedagogy.

The pedagogical principles

Curriculum design at Penmaes is underpinned by twelve pedagogical principles, which state that good learning and teaching:

maintains a consistent focus on the overall purposes of the curriculum
challenges all pupils by encouraging them to recognise the importance of sustained effort in meeting expectations that are high but achievable for them
means employing a blend of approaches including direct teaching
means employing a blend of approaches including those that promote problem-solving, creative and critical thinking
sets tasks and selects resources that build on previous knowledge and experience and engage interest
creates authentic contexts for learning
means employing assessment for learning principles
ranges within and across Areas
regularly reinforces the cross-curricular skills of literacy, numeracy and digital competence, and provides opportunities to practise them
encourages pupils where appropriate and meaningful to take increasing responsibility for their own learning
supports social and emotional development and positive relationships
encourages collaboration

To support the curriculum, pedagogy helps to develop:

a strong disposition to learning
strong metacognitive skills
critical, creative, problem-solving skills

highly effective communication skills

The learning environment is a key enabler for the curriculum. It:

encourages pupils to be independent, to have a say in their own learning and to take increasing responsibility for it
include all pupils where applicable and meaningful
Allows pupils of all ages to experience authentic learning opportunities both indoors and outdoors
enables pupils to apply, use, consolidate and extend skills

Provides security and safety for pupils

To support this, practitioners:

form positive and respectful relationships with pupils and support good relationships between peers
respond to all pupils
plan engaging and developmentally appropriate learning opportunities informed by regular observation and ongoing assessment of learning and the pupil’s stage of development
prompt pupils to think about and reflect upon their learning in order to extend thinking and make connections
challenge pupils and have high expectations
actively engage with parents, carers and the wider community as partners in learning

be reflective and seek to engage in ongoing professional learning

Foundation learning: key features of successful pedagogy

Effective, learner-centred pedagogy, underpinned by the twelve pedagogical principles, is responsive, dynamic and embedded in strong relationships. Practitioners build on these principles to support pupils in their progression, by providing consistent opportunities for the following key features.

Play and play-based learning

Play is a fundamental right for all pupils. Children have a strong desire to play. Through play and playful experiences, pupils are able to find ways to experience a range of emotions and learn about the world they inhabit with others.

Play is often something pupils take very seriously, especially during this period of learning. It needs concentration and attention to detail, providing a means to learn through perseverance and collaboration. Play is not only crucial to the way pupils become self-aware and the way in which they learn the rules of social behaviour, it is also fundamental to physical, intellectual and creative development.

Play is a valid process for children of all ages. Pupils’ capacity for positive development will be inhibited if free access to a broad range of environments and play opportunities is limited. All pupils are entitled to respect for their own unique combination of qualities and capabilities.

Play and play-based learning supports holistic development across the curriculum. It is valued by all practitioners as both an end in itself and as something that they should observe closely with the clear aim of seeing how it can enhance learning.

Being outdoors

Being outdoors is particularly important for pupils in this period of learning. Learning outdoors can lead to high levels of well-being, confidence and engagement. In an outdoor environment, pupils can explore, practise and enhance their skills. To maximise the potential of being outdoors, pupils have enabled adults who understand the importance and value of it. Being outdoors supports social, emotional, spiritual and physical development, as well as providing authentic opportunities for pupils to develop and consolidate cross-curricular skills.

The outdoors provides opportunities to inspire awe and wonder, and allows our pupils to be themselves in open, relaxed and stimulating spaces. The use of natural and open-ended resources enhances the development of imagination, creativity and curiosity. Rich and authentic opportunities outdoors stimulate pupils’ senses through what they hear, touch, see and smell, and encourage them to express themselves.

Pupils who are able to engage and connect with the natural world can build an empathy for the environment, showing an awareness of their potential impact on the living world. They begin to explore the concept of sustainability in a practical way. Exploring the outdoors provides opportunities for pupils to develop a sense of place within their immediate surroundings, their locality, Wales and the wider world.

Being outdoors provides scope for our pupils to develop an awareness of themselves in space, supporting the development of proprioception. Outdoor environments can provide unique opportunities for our pupils to improve balance and co-ordination, develop motor function and explore their physical potential. While exploring the outdoors, pupils develop their ability to assess and experience risk, helping to develop resilience and confidence.

Observation

Observation plays a key role in the everyday practice of practitioners. Through it, they gain a greater understanding of the needs, skills and progress of individuals and groups of pupils. Observation focuses on pupils’ present needs and practitioners should resist the temptation to rush through skills, knowledge and experiences as this can have an adverse effect on learning.

The focus on getting to know pupils helps us to build a picture of each individual, which includes their development needs and their interests. By using knowledge of pupils’ previous experiences, likes, dislikes, interests and fascinations, and any previous or existing barriers to their learning, practitioners are better placed to plan next steps.

Practitioners ensure they are appropriately skilled to understand the role of observation and how it supports assessment. They watch pupils, listen to them, and reflect upon what they are doing and communicating.

Observations may be planned and specific; they may be timed over a period or be spontaneous occurrences when something new or significant is noticed. Using a range of observation techniques ensures that practitioners obtain a detailed understanding of each pupil. As part of this process, practitioners consider when and how best to interact with the learner.

Effective use of observation techniques helps practitioners to understand pupils’ levels of well-being and involvement, their emotional states, their relationships, skills and competencies. Effective observation enables practitioners to analyse what they see and hear, and then respond in ways which will support pupils to make progress. Observations are to be used to inform current and future planning to support pupils in moving to their next steps.

Observation is the catalyst for planning future learning experiences and environments. It allows practitioners to identify the ways in which pupils prefer to learn, and how best to motivate them to participate in the learning process. It also identifies those pupils who might need extra support to help them reach their full potential.

It is important that practitioners understand that learning is not linear and that different learners are likely to progress in markedly different ways. Practitioners must recognise this and allow for a variety of diversions, stops and spurts during the learning journey.

Authentic and purposeful learning

Learning is most effective when pupils are actively engaged in experiences that stimulate their interest, ignite imagination, inspire curiosity and promote positive dispositions. These experiences encourage pupils to investigate, explore, create and be active participants in their learning. Relevant and meaningful experiences that are rooted in real-life contexts will enable pupils to make connections, apply knowledge and consolidate skills.

Real-life experiences can enable pupils to take the lead in asking questions, identifying problems, taking risks and finding solutions. Creating opportunities for pupils to apply what they are learning to real-life situations helps them understand the purpose of their learning and can enhance well-being, self-esteem and resilience. It encourages exploration and creativity and will support pupils to develop an understanding of the world around them.