In our school we have adopted the Guy Claxton approach for Building Learning Powers. The aim of this is to develop students as learners – increase their portable learning power – and to raise standards by doing so. As a Gold Award Rights Respecting school, we feel this is a very important skill for all children to have in order to become lifelong learners. All children have the right to an education and to be given opportunities to learn in a variety of ways.
Being a good learner is about the whole person: their attitudes, values, self image and relationships, as well as their skills and strategies. Being a good real-life learner means knowing what is worth learning; what you are good (and not so good) at learning; who can help; how to face confusion without getting upset; and what the best learning tool is for the job at hand.
The learning powers consist of 4 R’s:
- Reciprocal learners think about how they can work with others.
- Resourceful learners work hard to support their own learning and help themselves to find out new things.
- Reflective learners think carefully about their work and their impact on others learning.
- Resilient learners never ever give up and keep on trying even when things get hard.
As we are a Gold Award Rights Respecting school, we have added a 5th R, which is Respectful. We celebrate the children’s learning powers in our celebration assembly every Friday.
Through a combination of Building Learning Powers and Rights Respecting School Award, we aim to encourage a positive learning environment and behaviours throughout the school.
In every class there is a Building Learning Powers display, these are all linked to children’s films. All pupils try to develop their learning powers by putting their photo next to a power they are focusing on that week. Children receive certificates if they achieve their goals.
Five certificates earn a GOLD STAR to be worn with pride.
