Implementation

Across both KS3 and KS4, students follow a carefully planned, aspirational and sequenced journey which continually builds on prior learning and is designed to prepare the students for the rigours of national curriculum reform, providing an accumulation of fundamental knowledge, skills and effective communication strategies that prepare them for life Post-16 beyond Acklam Grange. Regular opportunities are taken for distributed retrieval practise, including low-stakes quizzing, making links between new content and that which has already been encoded into long term memory. This is underpinned by our AGS Success strategy which ensures that the science of learning informs teacher delivery and independent study.

Flexibility in curriculum delivery allows for responsive teaching, resulting from a clear understanding of what makes effective formative and summative assessment strategies which identify key misconceptions, gaps in knowledge and provides clear and purposeful feedback. Opportunities exist for students to receive direct teacher instruction and explore subject matter via discussion with peers and independent learning.

At Acklam Grange ‘Challenge for all’ is at the core of our ‘Teaching and Learning’ values and we pride ourselves on encouraging students to be the best versions of themselves.  

All students are provided with an appropriate and ambitious level of challenge, informed by research into cognitive load, effective scaffolding, and progression towards independence. This enables all learners to access a broad and balanced curriculum successfully.

The implementation of a curriculum focused on both broadening students’ academic knowledge and cultural capital alongside developing the core skills of communication and expression enables students to become confident independent learners. High expectations for all ensures that students engage fully in the learning process and can work independently with purpose and resilience.

Each lesson at AGS is underpinned by the INSPIRE T&L model, a structured pedagogical framework informed by research into sequencing, modelling, guided practice, and metacognition. The model provides clarity and consistency while ensuring that challenge increases progressively, moving students from supported understanding to independent application and reflection on learning.

The INSPIRE model is underpinned  by 8 PRINCIPLES OF LEARNING and linked whole school systems to create a  positive classroom climate and a culture of engagement. Together, they ensure all students think hard, know more, communicate effectively and are prepared for life beyond the classroom.

• Consistent routines

• The Big Picture

• Knowledge and retrieval 

• Building foundations

• Extending thinking

• Visible understanding

• Model and scaffold to independence

• Response to feedback