Page 47 - Waterfall Issue 10 2021

pERSoNALISED

LEARNINg

– in support of the individual’s journey to understanding

H ead of Academic support for ensure that tactics are maintained and

delivering effectively,” she says. “Every
St Peter’s Girls Prep, Carmen
Whitfield is an Educational
Psychologist by profession single child is discussed at termly
therapy meetings with the teacher
but has found her niche within the and/or relevant therapist and this is
progressive school environment at where their level of adjustment and
St Peter’s. “Being part of someone’s progress is assessed and interventions
learning process is a truly privileged discussed. Our interventions are
position to be in. I’m there to witness well-considered and targeted and
both their challenges and their leave no room for guesswork.”
progress – and the philosophy of
inclusive learning is close to my heart.” CoLLABoRATIoN IS KEy To
THE pRoCESS
TRACKINg EvERy “Collaboration is the foundation
INDIvIDUAL CHILD’S of what I do. I am the link between
pRogRESS Carmen Whitfield the teachers; between parents and
Carmen’s role involves tracking the teachers; and between parents,
progress of every child in the school, Therapists and a Physiotherapist teachers and therapists. The teachers
from Grade 0 to 7, and managing the provide additional consulting services. come to me daily, checking in, using
relationship between the school and the me as a sounding board, making sure
therapists. Three therapists at the school “Our collective goal is to make sure that our interventions are working
provide inclusive practices, spending an that, on an academic, social and as envisaged. We are making sure
hour during Maths and English lessons emotional level, we are not missing that each child is reaching progress
observing progress in the classrooms. any areas that may need support. I milestones at their own level and
A team of three independent liaise with each teacher as the child offering an additional layer of support.”
Occupational Therapists, two Speech progresses through the grades to
The personalised learning approach
at St Peter’s is very different to the
methodologies employed at most
schools. Pupils take ownership of
their own learning process, with the
teachers providing guidance. There
is no traditional blanket curriculum;
teachers focus rather on specific areas
and curriculum outcomes and wherever
the children are in their journey
they are supported by strategies to
assist them in reaching their goals.

pERSoNALISED LEARNINg
“Our inclusive specialists can adjust
the classroom environment or
curriculum to suit the needs of the girls,
if necessary. For example, if we have
girls struggling with reading, we can

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