Improving the quality of teaching: a key enabler to curriculum reform

The document aims to:

• develop teachers’ and leaders’ understanding of the Curriculum for Wales framework

• provide guidance about the importance the quality of teaching as the key enabler to curriculum reform

• explore the importance of articulating the expectations of a shared whole school approach to teaching and curriculum planning

• identify the forensic elements that impact most on the quality of teaching, pupil progress and wellbeing, through effective self-evaluation and improvement planning

• signpost leaders and teachers to relevant professional learning and resources

• support the recommendations outlined in ESTYN’s report of 2022 “The Curriculum for Wales - How are local authorities supporting schools?”

How should we use this guidance?

This document should be seen as a starting point to consider the relationship between effective teaching as an enabler to curriculum reform. By that we mean, how effective whole school approaches to teaching, alongside effective curriculum planning can support all schools in developing their Curriculum for Wales provision. This document aims to support coaching and mentoring conversations with staff, which in turn will support improved knowledge and skills in understanding the effective characteristics of teaching and curriculum planning. This document also provides supporting professional learning resources to help school leaders and their staff to improve the quality of teaching and learning in their school or setting.

Please contact the relevant EAS Team member for a copy.  The resource is also available via the Hwb EAS information sharing site in the folder 0 - Resources.

Evaluating and improving the quality of teaching and learning

A  3 x half day sessions programme aimed at senior learners/ leaders of teaching and learning to support them in creating / evaluating their whole school teaching and learning strategy . Leaders will be given the opportunity to consider the elements of teaching and curriculum that impact most on pupil progress. Leaders will be supported in effective self-evaluation and improvement planning which focusses on the forensic elements of teaching and learning. 

Resources :Teaching and Learning Guidance, including templates, Self Evaluation and Improvement Guidance, including templates, Writing Evaluatively Guide with practical examples.

Effective Assessment for Learning 

Improving the forensic elements of teaching and learning. Teachers will observe live practice at two different schools and see examples of effective planning and feedback which moves learning forward. Participants will act upon the professional learning back at school and evaluate the impact on learning.  

Resources: Teaching and Learning Guidance, examples of effective planning (includes learning intentions and success criteria) ,examples of effective differentiation, examples of effective feedback, training materials, access to relevant research. 

Dates for 25-26 (TBC) 

For more information contact -  daniel.davies@sewaleseas.org.uk

Pedagogy in Practice

Improving the forensic elements of teaching and learning. During the four-day programme participants will develop their understanding of effective learning environments, assessment for learning, differentiation, and the Curriculum for Wales framework. Participants will observe live practice during each session. 

Resources: All training materials, examples of effective planning, examples of effective marking and feedback.

Success criteria, by the end of the programme delegates will:

• • Observe effective live teaching and learning in another school

  • Understand and demonstrate the characteristics of effective teaching and learning.

  • Develop in line with the professional standards for teaching and leadership.

  • Collaborate, reflect and innovate practice.

  • Share practice with colleagues, from your own school and beyond.

Dates for 25-26 (TBC) 

For more information contact -  daniel.davies@sewaleseas.org.uk

Dates for 25-26 (TBC) 

For more information contact -  daniel.davies@sewaleseas.org.uk