Page 16 - link magazine

Education News Swindon

Positive

Principal Jane Leo and (pictured left) Assistant Principal John Spencer who are
pioneering enquiry-led learning at Tadpole Farm CE Primary Academy
School opens doors to a new way of learning

By Ben Fitzgerald are people who say ‘how can we break out classroom areas.
School principal Jane Leo has make this better?’” “We encourage all children to get
a particular vision for Tadpole She gave an example of how outdoors if they want to explore
Farm CE Primary Academy, which this works in practice, with year 1 their learning in this way and every
is growing from strength to children being challenged to work year group has access points to
strength since opening its doors in out how to extract a toy penguin the outside areas. We are a forest
September 2016. from a block of ice. school with two wild areas where
Under Mrs Leo’s guidance the “What we were looking for is how children can develop their skills.”
whole school has embraced the the children work with each other He said that in time Tadpole Farm
ethos of enquiry-led learning. to solve the problem. The penguin will have six year groups and be run
She explained: “It’s about giving task was a vehicle for them to work as a two-form entry school.
the children an environment that on questioning and communication As a newly established school,
they can grow into and allowing skills. In this case, one of the Tadpole Farm is equipped with the
them to poke the edges of it. youngsters suggested that we latest classroom technology. It
“They are encouraged to develop could use boiling water to melt the also offers nutritious school meals
their own problem solving skills and ice. But when the teacher poured prepared on site and breakfast and
use their initiative to explore their the hot water, some in the group after school clubs.
capabilities.” noticed that it froze when it hit the Places are available for year 4 and
This differs from the traditional ground. This developed a whole new 5 children starting in September
model of teaching where learning child-led discussion.” and there are a few remaining
is clearly divided into subject areas, Newly appointed Assistant places in year 2.
with children being set tasks by the Principal John Spencer has For further enquiries contact the
teacher according to the subject. been taken on to oversee the school on 01793 729740, email
“Underlying basics skills have development of Key Stage 2 as the [email protected] or
to be secure, for example maths, school prepares to take on more visit the school’s new website at
writing, reading, or enquiry based children in years 4 and 5. www.tadpolefarmcepa.co.uk
learning doesn’t work.” “At the moment we have 160 l The symbolic start of work
Mrs Leo explained that the children in Reception, Year 1 and to build Great Western Academy
approach will set them up for later 2 and we are looking to open to secondary school - in Tadpole Farm
life, developing essential teamwork applications for our new year - was due to begin with a ground
and communication skills: “You groups 4 and 5,” he explained. breaking ceremony on January 26
can’t get those skills by sitting The bright and airy school building attended by North Swindon MP
around a table and being told what features plenty of natural light and Justin Tomlinson and New College
to do. What we need in this world spacious corridors that double as principal Graham Taylor.
16 swindonlink.com n February 2017

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