Teaching School Alliance
“A researching school is an improving school”
The Weatherhead Teaching School Alliance recognises the importance of being at the forefront of educational research. Research and Development is therefore one of the main activities of WTSA.
Teaching Schools Alliances become actively engaged in major national research projects. This research, and also research projects 'sparked' from within the WTSA, provides opportunities for schools to come together to hold conferences to disseminate their research to each other, and to cooperate informally with each other to support research in our schools.
The Weatherhead TSA is an inclusive group ensuring that all levels of research are valued, from small-scale research projects to post graduate and masters level projects.
Our 2015-16 events:
KidsMeet 2015- Thurs 26th November
Speed Learning-
Speed Learning-
2014-15 Events:
KidsMeet 2014- Wed 15th October
Speed Learning- Tue 11th November
TeachMeet Wirral- Sat 31st January
Speed Learning- Thur 30th April
Find out more about past events using the links below.
Images from our various events
National Research Priorities
Things to make you go mmmmmm!
INSET - November 2012 - Dr Andrew Curran
The INSET Day focused on Brain Development. As a staff, we took on board many points from the neurological expert and tried to develop 'brain friendly techniques' to support our children's learning.
We are anatomically re-structuring and sculpting brains in our classroom
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Love Love Love. |
Every child needs to feel it! We changed the way we start the academic year to ensure that an appropriate focus is given to children bonding with their new teacher.
Rat evidence suggests that when adult rats don't lick and pay attention to their young neuro-chemical imbalances set in.
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| Holographic Memory to secure learning templates. |
The visual cortex is a highly efficient part of the brain. Use visual cues to ensure children/adults can 'spark' memories from a cue. Very similar to a memory flooding back when you hear a certain piece of music.
We use a picture to represent a certain topic of learning e.g. Queen Victoria for 'The Victorians'. This picture is used in each of the lessons - teacher has it at the front (whiteboard/A3 poster) when teaching. This picture becomes the holographic cue within the visual cortex to enable children to recall their learning.
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| Social emotional intervention programmes really help! |
The frontal lobe gradually comes online to support the amygdala. The amygdala needs an immediate response and takes over the brain - needed for survival.
Our Second Steps curriculum teaches children to: understand their emotions; improve their Self-esteem and self-confidence, have empathy, and be happy! The structured programme supports children in overcoming amygdala issues which may impact on behaviour in and out of school.
Some children have additional needs and are supported through other programmes, such as 'Seasons for Growth', 'Time to Talk' and 'Socially Speaking'.
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