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Teaching & Learning

Portswood Primary School Teaching & Learning Principals

At Portswood Primary School, we believe every child can succeed. Our teaching is carefully designed to help children understand, remember and apply what they learn, while building their confidence and independence.

 

We know that children learn best when new ideas are introduced clearly and in manageable steps. That’s why our teaching focuses on helping pupils pay attention, make sense of new information and build strong, lasting knowledge over time.

 

We also recognise that all children are different. Teachers adapt lessons to meet individual needs, ensuring that every child can access learning and make progress. Where extra support is needed, this is thoughtfully provided and gradually reduced as children become more confident and capable.

 

Our staff take part in regular training to ensure they are using the most effective teaching approaches to support all learners.

 

Key principles of teaching at Portswood Primary School:

 

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Building on what children already know:

We help children to remember and connect their learning. Lessons often begin by revisiting previous knowledge so that pupils can build on what they already understand and strengthen their memory.

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Developing vocabulary:

Understanding language is vital for learning. We explicitly teach important words and revisit them regularly so that all pupils, including those who may find learning more challenging, can fully access the curriculum.

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Learning through modelling:

Teachers show children how to approach tasks by explaining their thinking step by step. This helps pupils understand not just what to do, but how to think about their learning.

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Talk and questioning:

We encourage children to talk about their ideas and explain their thinking. Through discussion with teachers and classmates, pupils develop their understanding and confidence. Structured activities such as “think-pair-share” support this.

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Guided practice:

Children are given the opportunity to practise new skills with support from the teacher. This support is gradually reduced as confidence grows, helping pupils become more independent.

Flexible grouping of pupils supports the teacher to provide additional help for pupils who need it.

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Independent Practice:

Pupils are given time to apply their learning independently. This helps them develop confidence, remember what they have learned and build important skills over time. We ensure all children have the support and resources they need to succeed.

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Ongoing assessment and feedback:

Teachers regularly check how well children understand their learning through questioning, discussion and written work. This helps teachers adapt lessons and provide feedback so that every child continues to make progress.

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Supporting Every Child

We aim to make lessons as clear and accessible as possible for all pupils. Where needed, additional support and adjustments are provided to ensure that every child can succeed and feel included.

Our goal is for all children to become confident, independent learners who enjoy learning and are well prepared for the next stage of their education.