To address issues arising from gaps in learning we now operate the following:
- We have interviewed and recruited LSAs specifically to work with children in short bursts of time to deepen learning and close gaps;
- After the morning session, teachers identify children who have not evidenced learning of the objectives;
- The LSAs then withdraw these children individually to address the misunderstanding or clarify learning during the afternoon session;
- The sessions are brief and specific, with the LSA having already been present in the teaching that morning;
- The work is marked in accordance with the marking policy, which is very straightforward, and denoted by ‘PT’, signifying ‘Post Teaching’;
- If further intervention is needed, this is discussed between the class teacher and the LSA, and a range of strategies can be used, including homework with parental involvement, pre-teaching (occurs in the morning before formal lesson or in feedback times) etc.
- With children that may struggle with key vocabulary for a new topic, for example, sessions are arranged in the morning or afternoon to allow learning around the subject to take place.