During Term 1 we have been working on a programme of professional development for all of our teachers. This programme ties in with our strategic goals for 2021 and was aimed at making visible the links between what goes on for students in the classroom (i.e. their learning) and their wellbeing.

Our focus around wellbeing in the past has tended to concentrate on ways that students can support their own wellbeing; this programme, however, which covered a range of interconnected ideas, was designed to help teachers recognise the role they can play in supporting and developing students’ wellbeing. The idea was to put the spotlight on ways of working which motivate students, differentiate learning, are future focused and which help to create equitable learning opportunities for all students.

Part of our focus with this work was on exploring local and international research trends, particularly around developing global citizens who will be able to function fully in the 21st century. A key aspect of this is spelt out in the OECD’s (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) Future of Education and Skills 2030 project with their idea of a Learning Compass for students. This metaphor of a learning compass represents the idea that students need to learn to find their own way when they encounter new and unfamiliar experiences and environments.

Another key area which was emphasised was how important it is for teachers to support students to develop the particular literacies of their subject by emphasising the reading and writing practices that are specific to their discipline. In this way teachers are building students’ cultural capital so that students have every opportunity to succeed in life.

This professional development work is very much a work-in-progress and we will continue to revisit many of these ideas and introduce new ones throughout the year, and beyond.