The Pedagogical Framework
What is the Pedagogical Framework?The Pedagogical Framework is the Group’s vision relating to the delivery of teaching to facilitate learning in the classroom of the 21st Century. At its core, the Pedagogical Framework makes one fundamental statement:
“Teachers do not make a difference to students' learning, they make the difference.”
The Pedagogical Framework is informed by years of national and international educational research, OFTSED criteria, government documentation, discussions with teachers and academics, observations of lessons in schools and conversations with students.
Whilst the Pedagogical Framework paints a clear picture of what the group expects in terms of high quality educational provision, it does not, by itself, provide a mechanism for supporting and evidencing the performance and progression made by teachers and students in their teaching and learning respectively. In order for this to happen, materials have to be provided that can be used by teachers on a day to day basis. It is the Learning Portfolio materials which will enable this to happen.
What is the Learning Portfolio?
The Learning Portfolio is the evidence based portfolio that is built up by a teacher over time to show how their own practice is having a positive impact on their students’ learning. The Learning Portfolio has 12 key aspects which the teacher evidences over time in order to demonstrate the quality of performance that is explained in the Pedagogical Framework. These 12 aspects are:
· Subject Knowledge
· Planning and Preparation
· Methods, Resources and Assistants
· Classroom Management
· Questioning
· Engagement
· Challenge
· Assessment, Monitoring and Feedback
· Thinking Skills
· Study Skills
· Use of ICT
· Continuing Professional Development
Teachers evidence their performance in each of these 12 aspects at Bronze, Silver or Gold Level. In each case the evidence is not just on teaching, but on how the teaching has led to an improvement in students’ learning.
