The Knutsford Way 

At Knutsford Academy, we pride ourselves on our quality of teaching and learning. Our approach to teaching and learning is focused on our principles of excellence, referred to as The Knutsford Way. 

The Knutsford Way has been developed to ensure that all students have access to the highest quality teaching and learning. It takes into consideration the latest pedagogy to maximise engagement and progress to secure the very best outcomes for our students. 

Teaching and learning objectives: 

  • All students should have access to the highest quality teaching and learning. 

  • All students should have the opportunity to be taught by subject experts who deliver knowledge in an inspirational and engaging way. 

  • All students can achieve Academic Excellence which unlocks the door to their future success

Retrieval

Our lessons start with retrieval activities. Retrieval is the process of recalling learned information with little or no support. These techniques are used to help build fluency in knowledge and physical skills. These activities help to consolidate learned information and make links with new learning in the lesson.

Reflect and Respond

When teacher feedback has taken place, lessons will start with the opportunity for students to ‘Reflect and Respond’ to the feedback. This is time that is dedicated in the lesson to reflect on the feedback provided and respond with an action that demonstrates an improvement in learning or outcome.

Explicit Instruction

Learning objectives are shared with students to ensure that all students are aware of what they will be learning and why. This is the presentation of new material. Our teachers are experts in their subject areas; they lead the activation of new knowledge. Teachers ensure that they break down material into small manageable chunks to prevent cognitive overload. Their subject knowledge enables clear, detail explanations to support understanding.

Modelling

Teachers will demonstrate to students how to perform a skill or think through a concept prior to the students applying themselves independently. One approach used by our staff when appropriate is the ‘I do, We do, You do’ model.

Deliberate Practice

Students will have time in the lesson to practice the application of knowledge and learned skills to a purposeful task aligned with the learning objectives.

Adaptive Teaching

Adaptive teaching encompasses all elements of The Knutsford Way. This ensures that our teaching and resources provided meets the needs of all students in the class.

Formative Assessment

Teachers will use a variety of formative assessment strategies to determine what the students have learned and understood. This enables staff to adapt and plan accordingly to meet the needs of all students and ensure that all students make progress in the lesson. Techniques may include; ‘Show Me Boards’, ‘Think, Pair, Share’, ‘Cold calling’ and ‘Say it Again Better’.