Thinking Deeply about Primary Education Iterative Lesson Design: A Practical Cycle for Teacher Growth with Stuart Welsh
Nov 1, 2025
In this engaging discussion, educator Stuart Welsh shares his expertise in iterative lesson design, focusing on a practical cycle for teacher growth. He breaks down the plan–teach–reflect–reteach method, emphasizing psychological safety and incremental learning. Stuart highlights how to control lesson aims while purposefully varying delivery and how to scale this approach from small groups to full classes. He advocates for a termly cadence of training, arguing it's far more effective than one-off workshops, enabling teachers to implement observable changes right away.
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Compact Plan–Teach–Reflect Cycle
- Iterative lesson design is a short, repeatable plan–teach–reflect–reteach cycle focused on one pedagogical element.
- Teachers rotate teaching a 15–20 minute mini-lesson with different small groups to learn from iterations.
Started By Modelling, Then Handed Over
- Stuart began by leading demonstration lessons but gradually handed planning to teachers as confidence grew.
- After a year teachers co-plan and invite colleagues to revisit new pedagogical focuses themselves.
From Demonstration To Collective Ownership
- As teachers repeat the cycle they shift from observing to co-planning and richer peer discussion.
- Over time the group can lead iterations themselves and sustain embedded PD practice.