Over the next academic year we wish to strengthen our focus on the valuable personal qualities and skills that are needed for success in learning and life. These skills are already embedded in our programmes of study and our extra-curricular activities but we want to make them more explicit to students and their parents.

We are using the QCA framework as a basis to develop our vocabulary and assessment processes in this area and information about the PLTS in different subject areas can be found on the QCA website.

It is our intention to focus this initiative mainly, although not exclusively, on Year 7. We intend to use 2010-11 to develop our response to these expectations. We don't expect all staff to have this in place immediately, but to work towards it over the year. By the second PM lesson observation in the summer term, all of the above should be securely in place.

Key Expectations

• Dual lessons objectives will be used regularly (at least once every 4 lessons) in all Year 7 subjects.
• Homework will also make reference to learning skills whenever possible.
• References to learning skills in homework tasks and learning objectives will be highlighted in green in all subjects.
• Student progress in their learning skills will be assessed at least once every half-term (once a term for subjects with only 1-2 periods a fortnight).
• The assessment of learning skills must be done using the whole-school templates developed for this purpose.
• All staff will include the development of learning skills in their teaching as one of their performance management objectives.

To support the development of this agenda over the next 12 months, we will:

• Provide Word and Powerpoint templates for use in lessons
• Develop posters for display in each classroom
• Develop 'icons' for use in lessons and other displays
• Develop exemplar materials for the website
• Include time on the training school agenda for staff to work together on this programme
• Complete some action research on the impact of this work

We have developed some support materials to act as a starting point and will add to them through the year as we gather examples of successful practice from departments. The materials are available to download from these webpages and are also on S drive/Teaching and Learning/PLTS.

Assessment ladders

These have been developed by the Leading Learning group and give you the option to add on department / topic specific criteria. Their use will be explained in the training school sessions.

• Independent Enquirers
• Creative Thinkers
• Reflective Learners
• Team Workers
• Self Managers
• Effective Participators

Subject Examples of Lesson Objectives

Dual lessons objectives will be used regularly (at least once every 4 lessons) in all Year 7 subjects and homework will also make reference to learning skills whenever possible. References to learning skills in homework tasks and learning objectives will be highlighted in green in all subjects.

• Learning Skills and Lesson Objectives Template

PLTS support packs

Each department will receive a set of support documents from The Learning Organisation which will give ideas about how to incorporate the skills into lessons.

Classroom display

Each classroom will have a poster explaining the PLTS and another with our assessment ladders.