Teaching Methods
Personalised Learning Pathway
Wapping High aims to know every student as an individual, where their interests lie and what motivates them. This is key to their success and happiness, and to the success of the school. The realisation of personalised learning is fundamental to the ethos of Wapping High School, and provides support and challenge using the following means:
• each student develops a personalised curriculum, based on elements of both the core curriculum and the enrichment programme;
• additional provision is available to support students with exceptional needs;
• students are guided along learning trails by their Academic Tutor;
• each student is expected to make informed decisions about their education that maximise their chances of enjoyment and success;
• students have a personal webbook to help organise themselves. The school makes use of modern web technology to make communicating, managing study, extended learning, feedback and parental participation, easy and effective;
• parents and carers are treated as partners in their child's learning;
• curriculum planning is collaborative across all staff involved with each year group. Staff are encouraged to reflect on their practice and share successful strategies and methods.
• each student develops a personalised curriculum, based on elements of both the core curriculum and the enrichment programme;
• additional provision is available to support students with exceptional needs;
• students are guided along learning trails by their Academic Tutor;
• each student is expected to make informed decisions about their education that maximise their chances of enjoyment and success;
• students have a personal webbook to help organise themselves. The school makes use of modern web technology to make communicating, managing study, extended learning, feedback and parental participation, easy and effective;
• parents and carers are treated as partners in their child's learning;
• curriculum planning is collaborative across all staff involved with each year group. Staff are encouraged to reflect on their practice and share successful strategies and methods.
Provision for students at extremes of ability
Use of a personalised learning methodology has been specifically chosen for its ability to cater for children with very different learning needs. Teachers diversify their lesson plans to provide challenging and stimulating activities that stretch students at all levels. Students with additional learning needs are supported through their house groups and SEN provision. Students with exceptional abilities and talents have access to planned deeper learning trails that will support them to explore higher learning and stretch and extend those abilities and talents.
SEN Provision
The personalised learning programmes employed at Wapping High School are tailored to the abilities of each student. It is recognised that some students will require additional support for some or all of their learning. This support is deployed using the support groups within the mainstream provision and individual support where appropriate from an experienced SEN team. The Headteacher has responsibility for ensuring that all SEN related policies and practices adhere to the SEN Code of Practice.
On starting at Wapping High School, all students are assessed in their literacy and numeracy skills. In addition, the personalised learning methodology employed at Wapping High School enables individual subject based assessments to identify particular strengths and areas of difficulty. This informs target setting and helps identify students with additional support needs. Where it is indicated by a particular set of needs the school works closely with specialist outside agencies to provide the best support.
On starting at Wapping High School, all students are assessed in their literacy and numeracy skills. In addition, the personalised learning methodology employed at Wapping High School enables individual subject based assessments to identify particular strengths and areas of difficulty. This informs target setting and helps identify students with additional support needs. Where it is indicated by a particular set of needs the school works closely with specialist outside agencies to provide the best support.
Statements of SEN
Some students at Wapping High School may require the guidance of a Statement of Special Educational Needs. Staff at Wapping High School work with the families of these students to assist in explaining the implications of the Statement. Where the statement indicates additional support, the school has appointed appropriate staff to provide it.
Regular monitoring and assessment of the progress of a student with a statement takes place in accordance with the personalised learning framework. Annual reviews take place for students with statements In accordance with the SEN Code of Practice and using a person-centred approach. Parents and other parties involved in supporting the student’s educational progress are invited to provide evidence and comment. The involvement of parents in these processes is essential and actively promoted by the school.
ICT
Using ICT to do things better and to do better things is an approach across the whole school and at every level. Teaching methods, learning systems, assessment, timetabling and reporting empowered by excellent ICT are integral to realising the desired outcomes for the individual and the school as a whole.