This term sees the launch of the Shiplake Seven, an exciting new teaching and learning framework designed to foster and develop key interpersonal qualities in our young learners.
The framework encourages Shiplake pupils to be curious, open-minded, motivated, reflective, determined, creative and independent in their learning. These seven qualities not only provide a solid foundation for pupils to achieve success throughout their education, but also equip our leavers with the skills they need to enter the next stage of their lives as confident, personable and talented young adults.
The Shiplake Seven is being integrated across the academic and co-curriculum, allowing the seven qualities to be nurtured inside and outside the classroom. Pupils are encouraged to use these skills in their lessons and activities, with teachers awarding 'excellence slips' in recognition of notable achievements or good behaviour. Staff have formed cluster groups to share best practice and discuss how each of the qualities can be implemented into teaching and learning.
Deputy Head Academic, Mr Ian Munro, explains: 'I am pleased to officially launch the Shiplake Seven framework, which will provide fresh energy and direction to our already excellent teaching and learning. The qualities were selected by a panel of teaching staff from a larger pool of attributes put forward by pupils, and align superbly with our existing emphasis on Growth Mindset. We firmly believe that these qualities are essential for pupils to achieve success at school and subsequently in their chosen careers. Whilst, of course, these skills were already being developed by teaching across the curriculum, this framework will allow pupils' personal development to be more comprehensively encouraged, monitored and rewarded.'
At August's staff INSET, the College welcomed Mark Brown, pioneer of the Dolphin Index Organisation. Mark's world-leading research explores why some individuals, teams and organisations are more open, creative, motivated and ultimately successful than others. Mark delivered a fascinating presentation on how to inspire the development of these key qualities in young people. The framework has since been launched to pupils in a series of assemblies and tutorials, as part of the current fortnightly theme. The Shiplake Seven is also at the heart of our new College ethos video, which we are excited to launch at our upcoming Open Morning on Saturday 3 October. The film will be available to watch online following the event.
To discover more about each of the Shiplake Seven, please visit www.shiplake.org.uk/seven.