Teaching & Learning

According to the Education Endowment Fund, the most compelling evidence available indicates that high-quality teaching constitutes the most significant factor within schools for enhancing pupil attainment. Consequently, ensuring that every educator is effectively supported in delivering excellent instruction is paramount in achieving optimal outcomes for all students, particularly those who are most disadvantaged.

It is essential for schools to consider the processes by which children acquire knowledge, develop skills, and establish a strong foundation for future learning. Teaching methodologies that promote the long-term retention of information, proficiency in fundamental skills, and the confident application of metacognitive strategies are indispensable. These elements form the core principles of effective teaching.

Cognitive strategies encompass subject-specific techniques, including memorisation methods or problem-solving approaches in mathematics. In contrast, metacognitive strategies involve the regulation and oversight of one's cognitive processes, such as evaluating the effectiveness of a problem-solving approach or selecting the most appropriate cognitive strategy for a given task. The explicit instruction of both cognitive and metacognitive strategies is integral to high-quality teaching and learning, and these strategies are most effectively imparted within the context of specific subjects and educational phases. Instructional approaches such as explicit teaching, scaffolding, and flexible grouping constitute fundamental components of effective pedagogy.

Educators must remain cognizant of the diverse needs present within their classrooms, ensuring that instructional support is appropriately balanced. Over-scaffolding must be avoided, just as it is essential to provide adequate support for all learners. Similarly, while retrieval practice has been shown to enhance knowledge retention, careful consideration must be given to its implementation within individual subjects to ensure its efficacy in reinforcing learning.

Moreover, it is critical to acknowledge and build upon the prior knowledge that students bring to their lessons. Anticipating common misconceptions and employing diagnostic assessments to identify and address these misunderstandings represent essential strategies for supporting pupil learning and development.

Developing Teaching at Southfields

Southfields has fostered a highly effective professional learning culture in which staff take ownership of their professional development. They are committed to continuously enhancing their expertise by engaging with high-quality research, reflecting on best practices, and learning from colleagues (both internal and external) to improve teaching and learning.

Our teachers demonstrate exceptional expertise in translating curriculum content into clear explanations and engaging learning activities. Their instructional decisions are carefully tailored to the specific subject and phase, ensuring maximum effectiveness.

Additionally, our teachers excel in assessing pupils’ understanding and making real-time adjustments to their teaching, responding swiftly to meet the diverse needs of their students.

This document details how we devise programmes to achieve high standards in teaching and learning:

Remote Learning - Ensuring Continued Education

At Southfields Primary School, we are committed to providing a high-quality education for all our pupils, whether they are learning in the classroom or remotely. Remote learning ensures continuity of education during periods of school closure, self-isolation, or other circumstances requiring pupils to learn from home. For detailed information regarding our remote learning provision, please refer to the Remote Education Information in the documents list above.