Teaching and Learning

Teaching and Learning at The John Warner School

At The John Warner School, we are committed to creating a dynamic and inspiring learning environment where every student is empowered to achieve their full potential. Guided by our core strategy of "Making Every Lesson Count," we strive to ensure that every moment in the classroom is meaningful, impactful, and designed to support the diverse needs of our learners.

Our teaching and learning approach is firmly rooted in the principles of challenge, explanation, modelling, practice, questioning, and feedback—core elements that shape every aspect of our instructional strategy. These principles underpin our commitment to delivering high-quality teaching that is both engaging and effective, fostering a sense of curiosity and a love for learning in every subject.

• Challenge ensures that all students are stretched to achieve their full potential, with tasks and questions designed to push the boundaries of their thinking and encourage intellectual growth.
• Explanation provides clarity and understanding, enabling students to grasp complex concepts through clear and structured delivery.
• Modelling demonstrates high standards and effective approaches, offering students the opportunity to observe and emulate excellence in practice.
• Practice embeds learning through repetition and application, reinforcing knowledge and skills to achieve mastery.
• Questioning lies at the heart of active learning, prompting students to think deeply, engage critically, and explore new perspectives.
• Feedback is a vital component of our approach, providing students with constructive, actionable insights to support their progress and refine their understanding.

Together, these principles ensure that our lessons are purposeful and impactful, meeting the needs of every learner. By embedding them consistently across all subjects and year groups, we create a cohesive learning experience that equips students with the knowledge, skills, and mindset to excel both academically and personally.

At The John Warner School, these principles are not just a framework—they are the foundation of our mission to empower every student to succeed and inspire a lifelong passion for learning.

We believe that teaching is not just about delivering knowledge, but about shaping well-rounded individuals prepared for the challenges of the future. By focusing on research-informed strategies and creating a culture of high expectations, we aim to nurture not only academic excellence but also personal growth, resilience, and a lifelong passion for learning.

A key part of our ongoing development is the implementation of No-Hands Up questioning and the No Opt Out strategy, practices informed by educational research and designed to foster an inclusive, engaging, and rigorous classroom environment. By moving away from traditional methods where only a few students volunteer responses, No-Hands Up questioning ensures that all students remain actively engaged and prepared to contribute. This approach not only encourages deeper thinking but also builds confidence by giving every learner the opportunity to participate meaningfully in discussions.

Complementing this, our use of the No Opt Out strategy ensures that every student is held accountable for their learning. In practice, this means that if a student is unable to answer a question initially, they are supported with guidance or scaffolding until they can respond correctly. By revisiting the question, students experience success and develop resilience, reinforcing the idea that effort and persistence are key to progress.

Together, these approaches create a classroom culture that is equitable, challenging, and supportive. They help students develop the critical thinking, communication skills, and growth mindset needed to succeed both academically and personally. By embedding these strategies into our teaching, we ensure that every lesson truly counts for every learner.

At The John Warner School, we take pride in our collaborative and reflective approach to teaching, always striving for continuous improvement to provide the best possible education for our students. Together, we are making every lesson count.