At Earlscliffe, we believe that education is a lifelong journey, and that every individual should be given the opportunity to grow, adapt, and acquire new skills. In-keeping with this philosophy, today our staff took on a new role:
Today Earlscliffe teachers became the students.
Our personalised approach to teaching recognises that supporting young, international learners requires a broad and adaptable range of skills. In an ever-changing world, it’s essential that we too remain learners, continuously developing and refining our practice.
Leading today’s professional development was Leanne Dinsdale, our Special Educational Needs Coordinator. She hosted a forum on how faculty can better tailor education to each student’s individual needs, strengths, and aspirations. As she explained:
“Through personalised teaching, and a genuine understanding and appreciation of each student’s journey, we help them not just to succeed academically but also to grow into confident, capable individuals.”
Leanne’s training session provided valuable insight into the importance of inclusive education and the teacher’s pivotal role in supporting all learners, particularly those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Through practical strategies and a focus on high-quality, differentiated teaching, staff were encouraged to reflect on their current practices and explore ways to adapt their approaches to meet the diverse needs within their classrooms. Emphasising collaboration, the session created space for colleagues to share effective methods and experiences, fostering a culture of continuous improvement. Ultimately, the session reinforced the principle that inclusive teaching is not an add-on, but a fundamental responsibility of every educator, in line with the SEND Code of Practice.
We learn best through hearing, speaking, and hands-on experience – an approach that is especially important in a community where many students are learning in a second language, and equally valuable in supporting the diverse learning needs of students with dyslexia, dyspraxia, ADHD, ASD…
Our approach is rooted in creating an inclusive environment where learning is dynamic, flexible, and genuinely student-centred. Lessons are designed to engage different learning styles and abilities, using methods such as role-playing, regular encouragement, peer collaboration, retrieval exercises, and recording strategies. Groupings are thoughtfully arranged to foster positive peer interaction and academic growth.
Academic scaffolding is also provided. The idea is similar to how scaffolding supports a building while it’s under construction – it gives temporary help that is gradually removed as the student becomes more confident and capable. The scaffolding might include breaking tasks into smaller segments, or modelling good answers, or offering regular encouragement.
Where needed, teachers organise discreet one-to-one support or individual discussions, offering students targeted help without interrupting the flow of the class. This ensures that every learner feels valued, supported, and empowered to achieve their personal best.
Behind all of this is our dedicated Educational Needs Department, which plays a vital role in supporting both staff and students. Working closely with teachers, the department ensures that provision is carefully mapped, appropriate interventions are introduced, and students are continually encouraged to develop resilience, independence, and a love of learning.
In a community like ours, personalised education is not an added bonus – it’s at the heart of everything we do. It’s how we bring out the best in every student, every day.
Great teaching is never static. Just as we ask our students to embrace personal development, curiosity and community, we expect the same from ourselves. By continually investing in the development of our teachers, we ensure that our classrooms remain dynamic, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of every learner. Teaching our teachers means we honour our commitment to providing the very best education for every student, every day.
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