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The GTC has provided advice to the government on personalising learning in schools. Personalised learning has become one of the most debated concepts in education policy in recent years and the GTC believes is increasingly important to ensure that the concept is coherent, universally understood and has a positive impact for all pupils.
The GTC’s advice responds to recommendations made in the 2020 Vision report in January. This independent report was commissioned by the government to create a vision for personalised learning, and was led by Christine Gilbert, Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Schools.
The GTC’s advice makes recommendations for the government and others on four main areas:
1. Following the needs and interests of pupils
Personalised learning will change to the roles of teachers and learners, to enable greater pupil participation and to reflect pupils’ needs and interests. Schools are showing that this can best be achieved through a combination of assessment for learning, dialogue with pupils (‘pupil voice’) and the effective use of new technologies.
Teachers should be better supported in understanding and using these approaches, through improved resources and enhanced teacher learning.
2. Overcoming obstacles that prevent the personalisation of learning
The current emphasis on assessing pupils in order to monitor schools is not only detrimental to pupils but also unsophisticated and inefficient in assessing school performance. The GTC recommends a system that supports pupil learning and helps parents and teachers.
The Government should shift the balance of schools’ accountability towards parents and pupils, enabling improved dialogue with parents and less undue focus on national performance measures.
Teachers should have more flexibility in applying the curriculum, and schools should receive incentives to use existing flexibilities in the curriculum.
3. Addressing inequalities and meeting the needs of all pupils
Greater consideration should be given to each of the outcomes of Every Child Matters – a child’s enjoyment, health, safety, positive contribution and economic well-being – alongside the academic achievements of pupils and schools.
Personalised learning should benefit all pupils and not just the ‘gifted and talented’ and those falling behind. Equally, the government and schools need to target teaching and resources towards early intervention for those at risk of underachievement.
The Government should support schools to implement their duties under equalities legislation, and teachers should have more opportunities to build their expertise in working with pupils with special education needs.
4. Personalising teacher learning and professional development
The Government should create an entitlement to resourced access and participation in personalised – i.e. effective, relevant and sustained – continuing professional development for all teachers and staff.
Teachers need opportunities to enquire into effective and creative teaching approaches, and to develop their teaching practice accordingly.
If you would like to find out more about the GTC’s advice on personalised learning, please contact Andrew Hudson on andrew.hudson@gtce.org.uk
Personalised learning and the 2020 Vision report
Personalised learning has been integral to the government’s education policy for several years. Its origins can be traced to the government’s wider policy agenda for personalisation in public services, and the concept is outlined, among other sources, in a series of booklets written by David Hargreaves for the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust.
In 2006, the government commissioned the Teaching and Learning in 2020 review group to create a vision for personalised learning. This independent group of educationalists and headteachers – chaired by Christine Gilbert, Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Schools – published a report, 2020 Vision,¬ ¬in January 2007. The report contained a series of recommendations for government, schools, agencies and others.
For further information about the Teaching and Learning in 2020 review, please visit the TeacherNet website [ http://www.teachernet.gov.uk/educationoverview/briefing/strategyarchive/whitepaper2005/teachingandlearning2020 ]
