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Teaching & Learning at The Swan School
Research shows that it is the quality of teaching that makes the biggest difference to children’s learning and to their ultimate success in school. Therefore, quality of teaching and learning is one of our foremost priorities at The Swan School. This matters most for our vulnerable students, who benefit the most from improvements in teaching and are most at risk of falling behind if we let our standards slip.
To frame our beliefs about what expert teaching for all students means we use the 6 Features of a Highly Effective Lesson. This includes teaching methods such as direct instruction and deliberate practice, which are based on strong research from the field of cognitive psychology.
We create further clarity for teachers with the Swan T&L 12. By selecting and prioritising a small number of high impact and widely applicable strategies, we can increase inclusion in our classrooms and promote progress for all students. Each of the T&L 12 is linked to one of the 6 Features of a Highly Effective Lesson.
The 6 Features are supported by a comprehensive programme of Continuous Professional Learning and Development. This includes sessions focussed on developing the T&L 12 strategies using methods of instruction and rehearsal as well as harnessing the power of peer observation and collaboration, as well as time in faculty teams.
Download the Full Handbook For a detailed look at our specific classroom strategies and the T&L 12, please download the full handbook below.
The Swan T&L 12
The Swan T&L 12 Strategies
To ensure clarity and consistency across all classrooms, we have prioritized 12 high-impact strategies. These are organized under our 6 Features of a Highly Effective Lesson to promote progress for 100% of our students.
1. Culture for Learning
We minimize distractions so students can give 100% of their attention to the core knowledge being taught.
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Warm-Strict: High expectations delivered with a calm, composed demeanor to address disruptive behavior.
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Narrate the Positive: Drawing attention to students following routines to establish positive norms.
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Brighten Lines: Using crisp, sequential instructions like "Eyes, Ears, Track" or "3, 2, 1… GO" to ensure everyone can participate successfully.
2. Connect the Learning
New material is explicitly linked to existing knowledge to help students see the "bigger picture".
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Last Time, This Time, Next Time: A routine at the start of a lesson to review previous learning, introduce today's goal, and preview future relevance.
3. Direct Instruction
Subject content is communicated through clear, well-judged explanations that are accessible to all.
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Explicit Vocabulary: A structured "I say / you say" approach to introducing, defining, and practicing new subject-specific words.
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Whole-Class Reading: Developing fluency by tracking text with a ruler while the class reads key vocabulary chorally.
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Blank Canvas: Managing cognitive load by introducing one component of a concept at a time using a whiteboard and dual coding.
4. Check for Understanding
Teachers regularly assess all students and are prepared to address misconceptions immediately.
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Cold Call: Verbally questioning students without calling on volunteers to ensure everyone is thinking.
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No Opt Out: Ensuring that if a student is unable to answer, they eventually repeat the correct response provided by a peer or the teacher.
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Show Me: Using mini-whiteboards for a quick, visual check of the entire class’s understanding.
5. Deliberate Practice
Students are given purposeful, high-value tasks to practice independently and experience success.
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Turn and Talk: Allowing students to rehearse verbal answers in a low-stakes setting with a partner.
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Be Seen Looking: Monitoring independent work from a fixed point ("Pastore's Perch") to ensure all students are on task before circulating.
6. Re-Teach
Assessment drives learning only if it is acted upon.
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Reteach: Using data and lesson observations to address misconceptions and improve practice over time.
