Why is pedagogy important to enable the school to realise its vision?

Pedagogy is the method and practice of teaching based on theories of learning and an understanding of learners’ needs and interests. Effective pedagogies enable the school to realise its vision.

Key Principles

  • Schools should consider their principles of pedagogy when designing their curriculum because they are fundamental to realising the four purposes.

  • A variety of pedagogical approaches provides equity and leads to optimal engagement and progress for all learners.

  • Diverse and relevant pedagogies support all learners to adapt to a rapidly changing world.

  • Effective pedagogies have the ability to excite and inspire learners to want to learn and to be able to learn independently throughout their lives.

Key Considerations

  1. What strategies are used to ensure that as a staff we understand why pedagogy is fundamental to realising the four purposes?

  2. To what extent does the staff recognise how a variety of pedagogical approaches provides equity for all learners?

  3. What do we understand about the link between pedagogy, assessment and progression?

  4. Why is it important for us as a school to continue to explore new teaching methods and practices?

How do we go about preparing our staff to understand the full range of effective pedagogical approaches to deliver the new curriculum?

"The teacher is of course an artist, but being an artist does not mean that he or she can make the profile, can shape the students. What an educator does in teaching is to make it possible for the students to become themselves."

Paulo Freire

Key considerations:

  1. To what extent do all staff have a clear understanding of the pedagogical principles that lie at the heart of the learning and teaching within our school?

  2. How do we as a school provide ample opportunities for our staff to develop their understanding of effective pedagogies?

  3. How can we allocate time to reflect on and identify professional learning needs with regard to pedagogy?

  4. What opportunities are we providing for staff to develop pedagogies through research, action research and collaboration?

  5. When planning, how do we consider what really matters for our learners and is it responsive to their needs in local, national and global contexts?

  6. How do we use our understanding of cognitive development and the knowledge of all our learners’ needs and interests to select suitable pedagogies?

Pedagogy is the method and practice of teaching based on theories of learning and an understanding of learners’ needs and interests. Selecting effective pedagogies involves consideration of what matters to the learners in a school and planning for deep, memorable and transferable learning.

Key Principles 

  • All staff should have the opportunity to explore the pedagogies which enable learners to develop the characteristics of the four purposes.

  • An understanding of cognitive development is the foundation for selecting pedagogical approaches for different learners and contexts.

  • Consideration of the statements of what matters and the principles of progression is required when developing suitable pedagogical approaches for a school context.

  • Pedagogies which lead to deep learning over time are required to facilitate transference of understanding, skills and knowledge.

  • Practitioners should have an understanding of the holistic approach to learning and progression, which encourages reflective practice and learner agency.