PERSONALISING LEARNING: THE DEVELOPMENT & RESEARCH NETWORKS Paul Christensen Neil Tunstall

Why Development & Research Networks “By schools, for schools” Action Research Bottom Up, not Top Down innovation Building on the Trust’s strength in Networking Establishing Next Practice

The First Five Gateways to Personalising Learning Assessment for Learning Curriculum Learning to Learn New Technologies Student Voice

Structure of the Project 5 gateways x 11 regions = 55 networks Applications invited for hub schools £6k funding for hub to coordinate network Expressions of interest from schools to join network Hubs to recruit further members Initially a one year project

Hub schools in the South West Assessment for Learning: Backwell, Court Fields, Redruth Curriculum: St Johns, Wootton Bassett Learning to Learn: John Cabot, Lipson New Technologies: Chulmleigh, Cirencester Deer Park Student Voice: Callington, Thomas Keble

Learning to Learn: John Cabot CTC Cabot Competency Curriculum Student Competencies not National Curriculum Year 7 teaching by themes: 5 term year Smaller CCC teaching team Science & Technology Day Innovation Exchanges Now in Year 2: evaluation pending!

Curriculum: Wootton Bassett School Personalising the Curriculum Introducing choice in Key Stage 3 Curriculum Plus Key Stage 3 options into GCSE e.g. Astronomy, Catering Pupils’ Attitude to Self and School Learning to Learn Champions in each faculty Learning Mentor for each student

New Technologies: The Community College, Chulmleigh Active network, sharing innovation MP3 players for research Collaboration with Blundells Portal for network partners to share ideas Wide variety of approaches between schools Using new technologies across the curriculum

Student Voice: Thomas Keble School Students central to shaping the project Student Conference in council chamber Each school allocated a project Focus on improvements in Teaching & Learning

Network Characteristics Disciplined Decentralised Distributed

Roles of the Hub schools Develop own current practice Lead and coordinate the network Facilitate sharing of practice Coordinate different models of innovation Investigate methods of dissemination beyond the network Communication: innovation champion

Redruth School: A Technology College SW1 D+R Hub: Assessment for Learning Starting Position: –School Improvement Group – AfL focus –2 lead teachers delivering Inset across Cornwall –Some strategies embedded across the school –Other areas of good practice developing

Starting Position Embedded Practice: –Objectives shared with students –Success Criteria to see how to succeed –No grade marking with ‘Next Steps’ for improvement –Marking ladders –Personal target setting Developing Practice –Use of starters and plenaries to inform planning –Self and peer assessment –Peer coaching for teachers to develop their skills

Developing a Network Build a core team within our school Utilise expertise and contacts of strategy consultants Make personal contact with partners Advertise network via e-newsletter Develop a website for sharing innovation Provide subject focussed case studies for all to use

Website –Assessment for Learning link AfL links Whole School issues Subject focus –Aiming for 5 case studies per subject

Next Steps Build up website case studies Widen network across South West Work within national AfL Super Hub Develop list of Mentors to support local schools Develop AfL focus within school

Making Contributions Register for an e-newsletter Offer to write a case study Pass on details to your school AfL Coordinator See our AfL via our website at

First Lessons: The Real Deal! £6k is not a lot of money! Interest from schools in joining networks varies Not a “top down” model: school sharing expertise How can a local network be extended? Keen to start: slow to get going Life of the networks: will there be a Year 2? Is the “hub” structure the right one: decentralisation?

D & R Networks: the next steps Deep Learning (Assessment for Learning, Learning to Learn, Student Voice) Deep Experience (Curriculum, New Technologies) Deep Support (Advice & Guidance, Mentoring & Coaching) Deep Leadership (Workforce Development, School Organisation and Design)

D & R Networks: the next steps Alternative network structure Distributed innovation because we must Network first, hub second Network schools decide their own direction