ADDRESS
Durham Road
Darwen
Lancashire
BB3 1NN
Telephone
01254 703449
Our Standards and Expectations
“Learning, smiling and remembering”
Our Non-Negotiables
At Avondale we are passionate about teaching and learning. We are committed to providing a personalised curriculum that meets the needs of all children from Reception to Year 6. Our school curriculum incorporates more than a list of curriculum subjects. Embedded throughout all our teaching and learning we have a set of non-negotiables – our expectations for all staff and pupils. We understand that a child's potential for learning is limitless and it is our responsibility as educators to unlock this potential. Avondale is a caring and supportive community, which helps develop pupil confidence and enables them to become better learners, both in school and in life.
For each subject area, you will find a curriculum map which identifies the content of the curriculum for that academic year. Additional Information about the curriculum can be found on the subject pages where you will also find a web link to many amazing sites. For any further information regarding the curriculum please contact Mrs Taylor, our curriculum lead.
Our teaching and learning non-negotiables are as follows:
Positive relationships amongst all
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We will endeavour to uphold and sustain practices that foster the values of:
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mutual respect and responsibility;
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a commitment to co-operation, consideration, courtesy, care and
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engagement in service to the community.
These principles support the development of high-quality interpersonal relationships between teachers, students, parents and staff.
Safe, language rich learning environment in which clear routines are established
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Practitioners have a good understanding of child development and use effective strategies to promote every child's communication skills
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Daily read aloud sessions (ERIC) which help pupils increase vocabulary, create a shared literary experience, evoke discussion, and model fluency
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Class word walls - to help pupils make meaningful connections between words and concepts
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Diverse school and classroom libraries
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Class word of the day - these words and their meanings are viewed consistently while they are up
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Practitioners engage in daily conversations with pupils - practicing the art of conversation Modelling skills like making eye contact, talking to and not at someone, appropriate responses, etc.
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Practitioners speak to pupils like an adult - using correct words and terminology
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Practitioners and pupils keep a clean and orderly classroom
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Practitioners encourage pupils to be openly expressive and supportive to others
High expectations & challenge for all individuals, building on what the children already know
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We will provide appropriate and stimulating differentiated tasks to ensure all pupils are stretched, challenged and supported
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Pupils will be encouraged to develop a thirst for learning and show a clear willingness to extend themselves at every opportunity
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We will set high expectations of how pupils should present their work and challenge work that does not meet these high expectations
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We will clearly define and articulate learning objectives that demonstrate high academic expectations for all pupils in every lesson.
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We will ensure that bespoke interventions are in place for target groups
Effective and timely feedback that promotes self-reflection and rapid learning
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We will give precise and effective feedback and guidance so pupils know how to improve
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We will make sure pupils have the opportunity to regularly act upon verbal and written feedback to close the learning loop e.g. dedicated improvement and reflection time
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We will consistently provide written feedback to pupils in accordance with our subject area policy so pupils clearly know how to improve upon their work
Varied delivery (format and style)
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Practitioners routinely plan engaging lessons that are matched to the needs of the pupils
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Lessons will be delivered with a high sense of challenge, pace and purpose
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We will give pupils appropriate time to time to embed knowledge, understanding & skills
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High quality questioning and dialogue from adults and pupils
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Practitioners understand that effective questioning is key because it makes thinking visible: it identifies prior knowledge; reasoning ability and pupil understanding – therefore it is the ultimate guide for formative progress
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Practitioners use planned, systematic, targeted and skilled questioning to deepen pupils’ learning and assess understanding, along with other assessment for learning strategies
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Practitioners give pupils opportunities to talk about and discuss what they are learning - extended answers, presentations or demonstrating their learning
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Practitioners are highly trained and committed to supporting speech, language and communication skills
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Pupil ownership of learning, which includes wow moments
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Practitioners who are facilitators of learning and so give students the opportunity to take responsibility for their own learning
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Practitioners who plan learning for their pupils that allowed them to make decisions and choices on their own learning activities, choose resources and create presentations
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Practitioners who ask open-ended questions, with plenty of possible answers which lead to further questions
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Practitioners model behaviours and attitudes that promote learning
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Practitioners and pupils who ask for feedback
Resilient learners who take risks
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Pupils who are absorbed in learning
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Pupils who can manage distractions - recognising and reducing distractions
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Developing skills that help pupils to cope and be able to deal with failure just as equally as success.
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Pupils who persevere: keeping going on in the face of difficulties, channelling the energy of frustration productively