ERRR #091. Greg Ashman on the Essential Elements of a High Performing School
Jun 3, 2024
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Greg Ashman, a deputy principal at Ballarat Clarendon College and an insightful educational writer, shares his expertise on what makes a school high-performing. He discusses the significance of clear student expectations and tailored professional learning for teachers. Ashman emphasizes the balance between structured lesson planning and teacher autonomy to enhance learning outcomes. The conversation also delves into effective data use and curriculum design to support diverse learners, highlighting practices that contribute to student success.
Recognizing the historical context and cultural sensitivity towards Indigenous communities is vital for fostering reconciliation in education.
Professional learning should be viewed as an ongoing process, enabling educators to continuously improve their practices through collaboration and reflection.
Utilizing data from assessments allows educators to identify successful strategies and collaborate on improving instructional methods for enhanced student learning.
Deep dives
Acknowledgment of Indigenous Lands
The podcast begins with a respectful acknowledgment of the traditional custodians of the land, specifically the Wurundjeri, Woiwurrung, and Boonwurrung people of the Kulin Nation. The importance of recognizing that sovereignty was never ceded, alongside the ongoing impacts of colonization and dispossession, is emphasized. Such acknowledgments promote awareness of Australian history and cultural sensitivity among listeners and educators. By giving precedence to Indigenous communities, the podcast highlights the need for reconciliation and understanding in the educational space.
Workload Challenges for Teachers
Workload is identified as a significant barrier to professional development for teachers, with many feeling too time-poor to engage with educational research. The introduction of 'One Pages', concise summaries providing evidence-informed insights, aims to address this challenge by delivering essential information in a manageable format. These summaries provide educators with the necessary resources to reflect on their practices and engage in meaningful professional discussions. This approach acknowledges the reality teachers face and strives to make educational improvement more accessible.
The Role of Professional Learning
Professional learning is framed as an ongoing, responsive process that is essential for effective teaching. The podcast discusses how Ballarat Clarendon College organizes its professional development to allow teachers to engage deeply with educational theories and practices. By encouraging discussions within subject teams and allowing for reflection, the school fosters a culture of continuous improvement. This approach exemplifies that professional development is not a one-time event but rather a continual process of learning for both educators and students.
Prescriptive Teaching Practices
The discussion highlights the advantages of adopting prescriptive teaching methods that ensure consistency in lesson delivery across subjects. By adhering to common practices, such as using mini whiteboards and structured lesson plans, teachers can create a more effective learning environment. This level of detail in lesson planning not only saves time but also provides support to new teachers by allowing them to teach from established, well-designed lesson sequences. Overall, these practices contribute to a cohesive teaching approach that benefits both staff and students alike.
Data-Driven Assessment and Improvement
The podcast emphasizes the importance of using data from assessments to enhance instructional practices continually. By analyzing the results of common assessments, educators can identify successful strategies and areas for improvement within their teaching. This systematic approach allows teachers to collaborate and refine their methods based on shared data, creating a culture of collective responsibility for student learning. Consequently, this data-driven mindset leads to consistent improvement across the board, further solidifying the school's commitment to high-quality education.
In this episode we speak with Greg Ashman about what it takes to create a high performing school like Ballarat Clarendon College, Victoria's highest performing school. We touch on important factors including shared student expectations, effective professional learning, shared and prescriptive lesson plans, effective data use, and much more.
Full show notes at www.ollielovell.com/gregashman
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