A guide to the The Professional Learning Framework at Officer Secondary College
A guide to the The Professional Learning Framework at Officer Secondary College
Whole school professional learning
Flexible professional learning options:
ARC - Professional Reading - What's new?
PCMS Strategy 6: Opportunities to respond
Attention is the foundation of learning, but how do great teachers secure and harness it in every lesson? In this episode, we explore how three exceptional educators captivate students, foster 100% participation, and extend their thinking. From Neena’s dynamic English lesson at Ark Soane to Isla’s engaging primary class at Reach Academy Feltham, and Pritesh’s masterful science teaching, we unpack practical strategies like storytelling, paired talk, and choral response. These approaches don’t just improve learning—they build confidence, inclusion and curiosity in the classroom.
Key moments:
See 05:55 - 07:35
● How does the teacher communicate with clarity and intrigue?
See 18:40 - 19:10: Accountable questioning ● How does the teacher ensure all students think hard about the question being asked?
See 32:52 - 33:26: I say, you say
● How does the teacher ensure students know how to respond?
Great teaching relies on great behaviour. But what does it take for students to move beyond mere compliance to deep commitment? In this episode, we explore how two schools explicitly teach behaviour—by running effective routines, nudging social norms, and building high levels of trust. We’ll see how these practices free up student attention, create inclusive classrooms, and foster motivation and wellbeing. Through examples from inspiring educators like Pritesh and Neena, we’ll uncover the principles that help students to succeed and teachers to thrive.
Key moments:
● See 6:34 - 7:44: Pens down in 3, 2, 1
How does the teacher ensure all students comply with the routine?
● See 18:50 - 19:40: Establish and reinforce expectations
● How does the teacher direct praise to those meeting expectations? (Praise positive behaviour)
● See 28:40 - 29:20: Giving clear directions ● How does the teacher make it clear how they want students to respond?
This episode explores how great teachers plan and deliver lessons with precision, breaking down content into manageable chunks and guiding students with clarity and interaction. Teaching doesn’t stop there, though—the best educators respond in real-time, using quick checks for understanding to adapt and refine their approach. These techniques are combined with a strong culture of improvement, where mistakes are seen as opportunities to grow. Together, these practices form a robust framework for helping students to experience consistent success (and as a result: be more motivated).
Key moments:
● See 03:15 - 06:47: Activate prior knowledge
● How does the teacher ensure students all activate the prior knowledge they need for the lesson ahead?
● See 24:28 - 24:55: Checking for understanding
● How does the teacher quickly gather student understanding?
● See 35:57 - 36:48: Build a culture of feedback
● How does the teacher ensure action after a mistake is made?
Barak Rosenhine (1930 – 2017) was a professor in the Department of Educational Psychology at the University of Illinois. Along with Robert Stevens, he explored teacher instruction, and identified the approaches and strategies that were features of the most successful teachers’ practice. His 2010 ‘Principles of Instruction’ are grounded in a varied range of evidence from three sources...
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This website provides a guide to:
Space learning over time, interleave worked example solutions with problem-solving exercises.
Check for understanding?
Help students allocate study time efficiently.
Ask deep explanatory questions.
Term 2 Professional Learning: INSPIRE - SPI
The explicit teaching cycle: Small steps, Practice together, Independent practice.
There are lots of reasons for students not managing to build a secure schema for ideas – and this is where I find the cognitive science memory model useful.
Teaching and Learning strategies
For tutors, Literacy and Numeracy teams.
In this article, Adam Inder discusses a new suite of resources to help school leaders and teachers use a multi-tiered system of supports with students in Years 7 to 9 who are struggling with foundational literacy and numeracy skills.
Teach like a champion resources:
Other resources:
How Unconditional Positive Regard can improve your interactions with students.