Individuals and Societies

Making clear progress in I&S!

We are now more than half way through the first year of GCSE study at LAB and our students have recorded some fantastic results. From the successes of the first formal assessment, to the continuing triumphs of the most recent results, students are showing not only that they have understood what is required of them and that they are able to demonstrate it on paper, but also that they have a clear passion for learning. In that spirit, the I&S department has done two things: to reward the efforts of students and to ask for feedback concerning how effective students perceive their learning to be.

Book Giving

On 24 March, students that have evidenced the LAB values of Scholarship, Resilience and Ambition were acknowledged in book-giving presentations. Students from all three colleges and across all I&S subjects were rewarded for their hard work with subject specific books that will help them to more fully understand their subjects. In Airy we congratulated the efforts of Jessica P and Erim L; in Fawcett we celebrated Alex R, Lubna J, Rihanna S, Promise A and Ambar S; whilst in Sancho Lacie P, Kayden B-W and Ruby A were rewarded for all of their efforts. We wish them all the best of luck in their future studies, and thank their teachers for all of the hard work that has facilitated such success.

Engaging Students

As part of the commitment in I&S to make sure that students enjoy their learning, see the relevance of what they are being taught, as well as making the best progress possible, we have recently asked some of the students who have additional needs to contribute to an anonymous survey about their experiences.

Writes one student: ‘I would say that my lessons are very good for my knowledge.’ and another that: ‘the learning does help me understand the modern world.’

Whilst another student notes that their enjoyment of their lessons in I&S is ’depending on what the topic is.’, a peer states that ‘learning I&S subjects thoroughly grinds into my mindset the "real" world without sugar-coating it.’

We are very happy that all students responded that they were supported in their individual needs, with one writing: ‘I find that the lessons manage to teach in ways that helps me, such as with recap quizzes to help remember information’ and another that: ‘Our teachers provide us with a valid amount of Slides that have been personally made, fitted with their expertise and information gained in their subject. Our teachers also provide us with textbooks that give us information needed to grasp the aspects of certain subjects that we're learning. They also answer any questions that we may have.’

We shall continue to answer any questions that students may have, whilst also making sure to highlight the relevance of the subjects to their daily lives. We look forward to being able to report on the progress that students have made by the time they are in Year 11!

R Oelschlägel

Director of Learning for Individuals and Societies.