Observations and Learning Walks

Learning walks are a great way to get a quick snapshot of the different approaches teachers take in their classrooms. These are especially useful to do within your own department or similar subjects to see the pedagogical approaches used.

Similar to observations, one of the key moments on a learning walk is the discussion that follows. Unlike an observation, this discussion happens with others who were on the learning walk with you, and not the teachers you saw.

Whereas for observations it is the teacher being observed who chooses the focus, in a learning walk, each individual will choose what they would like to focus on. This makes a learning walk a learning opportunity for the observers more than those being observed.

For Departments looking to run a Learning Walk, there is some documentation available through the button below.

Each week there will be a school wide learning walk, which is a chance for all staff to get involved and see the amazing teaching and learning happening around the school. You can sign up in the sheet below, and also see when they will be happening.

Before the Learning Walk

• Decide on a specific period when you will do the learning walk

• Inform all staff teaching in that period, and give them the option to opt-out of being seen

• Agree on a place for all participants to meet

• Print out a Learning Walk Reflection Sheet for each participant

At the start of the Learning Walk

• Meet in the agreed location

• Fill in the first two boxes on the Learning Walk Reflection Sheet

• Split into groups of 2 or 3

During the Learning Walk

• Observe each lesson for 5 minutes (somebody should keep time)

• No discussions during the observation

• Use Learning Walk Reflection Sheet to take brief notes

• Go to another class and repeat until 10 minutes left in period