A new and innovative approach to the way year groups, also known as phases, are run is underway in the XP Trust. Where schools would normally have two teachers per year group and classes of around 30, at Greentop Primary School this has been replaced by 5 teachers per phase. Having three teachers in a year group and classes reduced to 24 students has created a direct and bespoke approach to teaching that optimises learning. The changes can be seen to benefit students, teachers and parents alike.
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Speaking to the former headteacher of Greentop and the driving force behind the change, Claira Salter, the fundamental idea that underpins the new phase approach is that the priority of a teacher is to deliver high quality teaching to the students in front of them.
The addition of another teacher per phase allows this to happen and even improves this further by sharing the workload between five people. Because of this, staff have more time to make marking and critique personal and prompt, while targeting planning to support the specific needs of their classes.
Not only does this change benefit staff on an individual level, but the new system also encourages a more collaborative approach within phase groups, leading to new and creative ideas being contributed to enrich the pupils’ learning.
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The students are the heart and soul of the school and so when they are thriving, the whole school is too. Therefore, not only does a better resourced phase aim to benefit the staff, the main priority is to benefit the children. Having smaller class sizes means the children get the individual support they need and deserve, and that is reflected in the quality of work they produce and progress made.
On top of academic achievements, the new system also enriches the social aspect of school life. The relationship between the student and teacher is enhanced as they have one on one time to build this connection. Speaking to a teacher at Greentop, she said that you “get to know them inside and out”, showing how much smaller class sizes can benefit the bond between teacher and student.
This also further helps the academic side, for example a particular barrier in primary school is reading and the teachers themselves have said that the children now have plenty of opportunities to read with an adult they have a strong relationship with. Every aspect, whether it’s social or academic, comes together to create a more personal and cohesive learning environment, because of one change made to the phase.
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The students at Greentop have described the new sizes as having transformed their classes into a place where you are always with a crew while at school. This is certainly what XP is all about, always being part of a team that supports and challenges you.
The new phase approach at Greentop school seeks to ensure that staff wellbeing is positive and child relationships are strong, creating a community built on collaboration, mutual support and progress that should be celebrated and shared with the world