Redesigning learning, Wednesday 26 November

Day one of the conference is redesigning learning, a full day focussed on how traditional classroom practice can be reconfigured to better meet the needs of learners.

In the morning

Following an introductory session on system redesign led by Kai Vacher (Head of Personalising Learning and Innovation, SSAT), delegates will choose from one of three workshops:

Student leadership
Professor Michael Fielding, who has led major national research projects on Student Voice, Gill Mullis (Student Voice Coordinator, SSAT) Aziz Easat and Laurie Goodlad (Student Consultants, SSAT) will explore the boundary-breaking potential of student leadership. This workshop will include case studies presented by students from a variety of schools.

Formative Assessment
In this session Professor Dylan William and Emma Sims (Innovation Coordinator, SSAT) will show that assessment for learning has been proven to raise student achievement, yet far too few schools can claim to have embedded this important practice to all of their classrooms. The session will cover:

1. 1. Why raising achievement is important
2. 2. Why investing in teachers is the answer
3. 3. Why formative assessment should be the focus
4. 4. Practical strategies for taking this forward
5. 5. Why teacher learning communities should be the mechanism

Project-based learning
Matthew Taylor , Chief Executive of the RSA joins Guy Shearer (Head of Curriculum Design and Innovation, SSAT) in leading the workshop exploring how project-based learning affects classroom practice.

With the introduction of the new secondary curriculum at key stage 3 there is a growing interest in developing personal learning and thinking skills along with the competencies on a practical basis in school. This parallels a number of schools who have developed a more project based approach to learning often, but not exclusively at key stage 3. One of the most popular curriculum frameworks used in this area is RSA Opening Minds, and this workshop, offered in partnership with the RSA will examine Opening Minds itself and its application in schools.

In the afternoon

Sir Ken Robinson, one of the world’s most sought-after speakers on creativity and education will deliver an inspiring keynote. Get a taste of Sir Ken’s philosophy – and engaging delivery – from this video of his TED talk www.youtube.com/watch?v=iG9CE55wbtY

Still buzzing from that session, delegates will attend their choice of smaller group sessions – a mix of showcases presented by affiliated schools and opportunities to work in more intimate settings with guest speakers such as Sir Ken Robinson, Matthew Taylor, Professor Dylan William and Professor David Hargreaves.

To encourage practitioners to participate in our classroom practice day, we are offering a special package. Day attendance for Wednesday is £225 + VAT: if three or more practitioners from one school attend, all receive a 10% discount.

In the evening

Wednesday's pre-dinner entertainment offers the chance to hear inspirational speaker Tracy Edwards MBE, who skippered the first all-female crew in the Whitbread Round the World Yacht Race.

Find out more and reserve your place at the evening entertainment.