Case Study - Dunbar Primary School
R U Engaged?
What Did We Do?
In response to a ‘curriculum for excellence’ Dunbar Primary School aimed to encourage pupil enthusiasm, motivation for learning and help develop attitudes that made pupils determined to succeed. After initial evaluations and discussions we found that the majority of pupils seemed to hold what could be termed an ‘entity’ view of ability. We then embarked on a programme aiming to providing both pupils with knowledge about the factors that can influence motivation / learning and staff with knowledge about classroom climates and how these had an effect on pupil motivation. In-service training was delivered to staff and a programme of activities (P1-P7) was produced. These focussed on five main areas which we entitled: Everyone Counts / We are all Unique / Feel Good Factors / How R U Smart? / Making Mistakes. An information leaflet and display was produced for parents as part of a ‘Working Together Evening.’
Results:
Pupil’s attitudes towards learning showed a marked shift to an incremental view of ability. After teaching pupils felt that intelligence was not fixed and linked to how hard you work. That it is acceptable to make mistakes because these can help you learn. Pupils stated that doing well at school depended not only on how clever you were but mostly on hard you worked. Even clever people have to work hard.
Staff have given pupils in P3-7 a questionnaire in order to get pupil feedback about classroom climates. Staff are now using results in order to reflect upon practice and set personal goals and targets for professional development for the coming session.
Jayne Gray
Dunbar Primary School