INNOVATIVE teaching, learning and assessment methods being piloted at a schools and sixth forms across the North have been tested by experts in education.
Richmond School and Sixth Form College played host to a special seminar involving senior leadership team members from across North Yorkshire and South Durham and Ofsted inspector and education consultant Rob Bourdon-Pierre.
He was invited to outline the requirements of the Government body at a session designed to help improve the education experience for students and staff.
Head teachers, deputies and assistants from Bedale School, Wensleydale School, Leyburn, Easingwold School, Woodham Academy, Newton Aycliffe and Norton College joined the event for members of the Challenge Partners Hub, a nationwide school improvement network.
“The aim was to share best practice and gain an invaluable insight into the way Ofsted approaches teaching, learning and assessment,” said Richmond School and Sixth Form College deputy head teacher Charlotte Wardle.
Information sharing programmes and data collection and analysis were also discussed as leaders of the teaching profession were offered an insight into the needs and wants of Ofsted.
“We wanted to examine our current practices, test our innovations and ensure we are achieving the best outcomes for our students and staff,” said Mrs Wardle.
As an example she said Richmond School and Sixth Form College art department had been piloting an innovative scheme whereby feedback was given to students in a short personal video rather than in writing.
“The short videos are shot on an iPad and uploaded so the student can access the critique and also be given a demonstration of how their work could be improved,” Mrs Wardle said.
“It is important to test how these new methods support student progress and if they are an acceptable means of assessment.”
Mr Bourdon-Pierre said: “Peer observation and collaboration is the way forward and is proving to be very successful as it results in professionals working together for the benefit of education as a whole.”