Teaching and Learning

Teaching & learning

At Devonport High School for Boys, we are committed to a curriculum that is as ambitious as our students. We recognise that every learner brings a unique set of strengths and aptitudes to the classroom; our mission is to ensure they all have access to a broad, challenging, and expertly delivered education.

Evidence-Informed, Teacher-Led

We believe that great teaching is an evolving craft. Our approach is firmly rooted in the best available educational research, drawing on Rosenshine’s Principles of Instruction and cognitive science to ensure students know more, remember more, and can do more. By understanding the mechanics of memory and learning, we help our students move from novice to expert in every discipline.

The Value of Autonomy

While our practice is informed by science, we believe that teaching is an art. At DHSB, we champion professional autonomy. We trust our staff to use their subject expertise and creative agency to bring the curriculum to life, adapting proven strategies to suit the unique context of their lessons. This balance ensures that instruction is both evidence-based and authentically engaging.

Developing the Whole Person

Beyond academic mastery, our goal is to cultivate the "whole person." We aim to empower our students to become:

Independent Thinkers capable of navigating complex ideas with confidence.
Lifelong Learners driven by curiosity and a desire for self-improvement.
Resilient Scholars ready to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing world.

Every member of our staff shares the collective responsibility to maintain these high standards, ensuring that a DHSB education remains a transformative experience for every student.

All Resources, INSET slides, policies and other documents relating to Teaching and Learning at DHSB can be found in the Google Classroom 'TEACHING STAFF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT' which all teaching staff have access to. The Google Classroom Code is: ipnjmej

"We learn best when......

When we reviewed our approach to Teaching & Learning this year, we sought the views of the people who matter most - our students. We then considered this along with the latest research into how people learn best and what the most successful teachers do and we formulated our strategy.

DHSB Learning Cycle 2022-23 (2).pdf

The DHSB Learning Cycle

The “DHSB Learning Cycle” provides the framework within which we deliver our teaching episodes. It provides the common language for teachers, students and parents to engage in a dialogue about how we teach and how we learn.

It isn't a chronological tick box of what every lesson at DHSB will look like all the time. It is our summary of what the research says the most effective teachers do, along with what we believe is right for our context. It is our expectation of what learning will look like in most classes, most of the time.

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