“Innovative teaching programme” at Wrexham secondary school aims to boost student outcomes

A Wrexham secondary school has launched an “innovative education framework” designed to accelerate students’ progress and improve attainment by enhancing the quality of teaching.

Teachers at Ysgol Clywedog have embraced the new CLEAR (Challenge, Learning, Engagement, Assessment, Reflection) Teaching and Learning framework which has been adapted from the CLEAR Effective Pedagogy Programme.

The programme, which has been two years in development, was created by the school in partnership with three other schools from across the North Wales region; Ysgol Eirias, Hawarden High School and Ysgol Llandrillo Yn Rhos Primary Schooll, to develop excellent classroom practitioners in Wales.

The CLEAR framework’s five core principles set out to: provide a high level of challenge and prepare students for independent learning; improve students’ learning experience; actively engage students through a range of learning activities; set measurable learning outcomes with clear success and provide systematic feedback and corrections; review the learning regularly, ask students to explain what they have learnt and re-teach differently when necessary.

To consolidate the new framework and ensure the five core principles are embedded in every single lesson, the school has adopted the motto, “high quality teaching every lesson, every day.”

Training sessions and working parties will build on previous training, so that teachers will participate in high-quality professional development with an opportunity to collaborate to improve standards.

Andrea Francis, assistant headteacher – teaching and learning at Ysgol Clywedog has been responsible for implementing the new framework at the school. She said: “The process of developing the new programme has been very rewarding.

“Working in partnership with other schools has allowed us to share ideas, experience, and best practice. The teachers here at Ysgol Clywedog are incredibly positive and have embraced the CLEAR model and the training principles of the CLEAR programme.

“I am excited to see the impact and benefits of the new framework for both teachers and students here at Ysgol Clywedog as we go forward.

“I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone involved for their support and, in particular, Hayley Blackwell, Assistant Headteacher at Ysgol Eirias in Colwyn Bay, who has been the driving force behind the development of the programme.

“She has worked incredibly hard and has also submitted an application for endorsement of the programme from the National Academy for Educational Leadership Wales (NaEL), which would be fantastic.”

Matt Vickery, headteacher, added: “One of the biggest impacts on student outcomes is excellent teaching and learning.

“This new framework and training programme mark an exciting initiative for the school, by supporting our teachers through quality training and collaborative working.

“Our staff do amazing things every day to support students, their families and the community.

“I am delighted that this programme will provide new opportunities for high quality professional development, collaboration and sharing of excellent practice so that our students are inspired to meet their potential.”