News from the Infant School Network, Doncaster
Sat, Feb 10th 2007
In 2005 the Infant School Network was formed. Initially set up as a support framework the introduction of the government’s learning network strategy seemed an ideal vehicle to put the network on a more formal footing. The decision was made to apply for government funding and this application was successful. From the beginning the network had a clear focus in that, despite serving very different socio economic areas, in each school for some pupils negative attitudes to learning presented a barrier to achievement. The network therefore set out to address this issue and look at how schools could foster positive attitudes to learning in all groups of pupils. Aware of Jenny Mosley’s work in this area the network sought her advice and were keen to welcome her as a partner in pioneering an approach which would identify children at risk of negative attitudes impacting on achievement, offer successful intervention and find a way of monitoring children’s developing attitudes. It was this latter aspect that was to prove both the most challenging and ultimately the most rewarding aspect of our work.
In October 2005 the network was launched with a super day at a local conference venue. Jenny led the day as our guest speaker. The audience was made up of staff from all levels from all nine schools. Right from the beginning we recognised that all members of a school community have a role to play in ensuring children feel positive about learning and therefore if this work was to be successful it required the commitment and enthusiasm and skill of the whole workforce. Following the initial launch Jenny then spent a second day with leaders from each school to plan our action. This day was critical in giving space to think and be creative in our approach to the task ahead. Each leadership team left the planning day with a clear set of “tiny tickable targets” to begin our learning journey. Later this year the network is to write up its findings including actions taken, outcomes and advice to other school’s setting out to explore this area of school development. The work will be published through the Jenny Mosley website. However we can already confirm that a year into the research our work has had a significant impact on attitudes within the school’s and increase achievement for some pupils. The network credits its success to the profound learning experienced whist working in a network with other highly experienced and skilled practitioners. In addition once the work was launched each school tailored its action planning to meet the needs of its own community, we consciously avoided the one-size fits all trap! And finally the inspiration and enthusiasm of vision from Jenny has given the project drive, momentum and above all a golden glow!
Written by Liz Hallett on behalf of the Infant School Network Doncaster
Many thanks to Liz for updating us - we look forward to publishing more news of this project.
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