Knowledge Organisers'

Knowledge Organisers’ are our ‘go-to’ document outlining the essential knowledge that teachers will be covering across the project; including dates, key vocabulary, definitions and other contextual or technical information. We ask that parents read through these Knowledge Organisers at home with their children and help children learn the key facts, key dates, key people and key vocabulary over the term.

Project Based Learning

At NWA the children acquire the fundamental skills for lifelong learning through a ‘project based learning’ approach. Project based learning not only develops the traditional areas of learning such as maths and literacy but it also encourages children to think beyond memorisation. Project based learning requires children to take responsibility for their own learning, to enquire, research, question and analyse their own learning journey. Learning through topics develops essential skills such as team work, thinking skills, questioning, creativity and problem solving; lifelong learning skills.

Developing thinking skills

Teachers at NWA recognise that developing thinking involves the creation of challenging learning experiences which calls for high level thinking. The ‘project based’ learning approach develops pupils’ ability to be independent, creative and flexible learners. Pupils are encouraged to consider not only what has been learnt but also how it has been learned so that they can transfer these skills more readily to other areas and subjects. Projects empower pupils with the skills that enables them to become independent thinkers, give them the skills to plan and reflect on their own learning and thinking across all areas of the curriculum.

How do we arrange a project based curriculum?

To achieve the ‘thinking classroom’ teachers must do the following as part of the project based curriculum -

• Set an enquiry question which hooks the children and underpins the whole project
• Set challenging tasks that encourage pupils to think through a problem or issue which may have no single correct answer.
• Plan learning objectives that encourage pupils to transfer understanding across a range of subjects through our topic approach to learning.
• Encourage pupils to build on what they already know in order to make sense of new information.
• Plan for pupils to think together, ask questions and work collaboratively through a Kagan friendly classroom.
• Select engaging texts that link to projects and provide enrichment and purpose within our whole curriculum
• Help pupils to make connections in order to transfer knowledge and skills.
• Intervene in the learning process by asking questions that extend pupils’ thinking.
• Allow pupils time for reflection.
• Have an authentic outcome which invites a wider audience to celebrate or be involved in the learning