Our approach to learning - Heartlands Academy
Source: https://heartlandsacademy.e-act.org.uk/academy-life
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:38
Our approach to learning - Heartlands Academy
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Our approach to learning
At Heartlands Academy, we are committed to the highest standards of teaching and learning and we are relentless in the desire to improve standards. We want students to become independent, self-motivated learners, developing the qualities that are so highly sought after by colleges, universities and employers. Our curriculum is a crucial part of our delivery of an excellent education to all of our students, enabling them with a life-long appreciation of learning.
The curriculum is ‘knowledge-rich’ and encourages students to acquire and make use of different types of knowledge over time, developing their abilities and mastering the content. It is this cycle of ‘Mastery’ teaching and learning, together with the excellent ‘climate for learning’ in our classrooms that underpins the successful educational outcomes of our students.
Our curriculum is well-structured in each subject area, with high-level (long-term) plans that cover entire academic years and key stages, down to medium- and short-term plans that specify the exact content to be taught and how best to teach it. Our teaching methods are scaffolded carefully to ensure we cater for the needs of all our students, including those who may have special educational needs or disabilities (SEND), or those with English as an additional language (EAL). We also carefully consider the learning of the highest-ability pupils, allowing opportunities to deepen learning and stretch them to their full potential.
Planning for SEND at Heartlands Academy
At Heartlands Academy, we are relentless in our
‘unapologetic pursuit of academic excellence’
, thus we are dedicated to providing an ambitious curriculum tailored to support our SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) students in achieving their full potential. Our approach is comprehensive, involving adaptive learning strategies and scaffolding to ensure all students can access and excel in their studies. Here’s how we do it:
Ambitious Curriculum with Adaptive Learning and Scaffolding
1. Ambitious Objectives:
We set high expectations for all our students, including those with SEND. Our curriculum is designed to be challenging yet achievable, ensuring every student can reach ambitious academic objectives.
2. Adaptive Learning:
Our teaching strategies are flexible and responsive to the individual needs of students. We employ a variety of adaptive learning techniques to tailor instruction to each student’s unique learning profile. This might include differentiated tasks, personalized learning plans, and the use of assistive technology.
3. Scaffolding Support:
Scaffolding is integral to our teaching approach. We provide temporary support structures to help students understand new concepts and gradually remove these supports as they become more proficient. This includes breaking down complex tasks into manageable steps, providing visual aids, and using models and examples.
Clear Mapping of Curriculum Across All Subjects
Curriculum Mapping:
We ensure a cohesive and consistent learning experience through clear mapping of the curriculum across all subjects. This mapping highlights key learning objectives, essential skills, and assessment points, ensuring that all students, including those with SEND, have a clear learning pathway.
Heartlands Teaching and Learning Excellence Lesson Framework
1. Structured Lesson Framework:
Every lesson at Heartlands Academy follows our Teaching and Learning Excellence Lesson Framework. This framework ensures that lessons are well-structured, with clear objectives, engaging activities, and appropriate levels of challenge and support for all students.
2. Incorporating Scaffolding:
Our lesson framework incorporates varying levels of scaffolding to support students at different stages of learning. Teachers use scaffolding techniques such as guided practice, collaborative learning, and step-by-step instruction to help students grasp new concepts and skills.
Well-Researched Pedagogical Approaches
1. ‘Teach Like A Champion’ by Doug Lemov:
We draw on the pedagogical strategies from Doug Lemov’s ‘Teach Like A Champion’. These techniques, such as ‘No Opt Out’, ‘Right is Right’, and ‘Cold Call’, ensure that all students are engaged, accountable, and consistently challenged to achieve their best.
2. ‘WALKTHRUS’ by Tom Sherrington and Oliver Caviglioli:
The principles from ‘WALKTHRUS’ guide our teaching practices, emphasizing effective instructional strategies like ‘signal-pause-insist’, ‘positive framing’, and ‘probing questioning’. These approaches help create an inclusive and supportive classroom environment where all students can thrive.
Unapologetic Pursuit of Academic Excellence
Supportive and Inclusive Environment:
Our commitment to academic excellence is unwavering. We believe in the potential of every student and are unapologetic in our pursuit of their academic success. By providing the appropriate level of support and challenge, we ensure that all students, including those with SEND, can achieve excellence.
Continuous Professional Development:
Our staff engage in ongoing professional development to stay abreast of the latest research and best practices in education. This continuous learning enables us to refine our approaches and ensure that we are providing the best possible support for our students.
At Heartlands Academy, we are dedicated to creating an inclusive, ambitious, and supportive learning environment. Through adaptive learning, strategic scaffolding, a well-mapped curriculum, and the implementation of proven pedagogical approaches, we ensure that all our students, especially those with SEND, have the opportunity to excel academically.
Sport and arts are an important part of our academy identity and we encourage all students to take an active part in extra-curricular activities. The ability of the performing arts to embrace all subject disciplines and social activities empowers students with the skills needed to communicate more effectively in whatever profession they end up involved in.
Our curriculum is fully inclusive and meets the needs of all students and the requirements of the Equality Act 2010 and the Special Educational Needs and Disability Regulations 2014.
Equality Objectives
Academy Accessibility Policy
Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and Learning Policy
To find out more about Heartlands Academy’s curriculum, please contact our Heads of Department or your child’s learning manager. Details of which can be found at:
Meet the Heartlands Team
.
More from Academy life
Get in touch
How to apply for a place at Heartlands
Find out more
We recommend
Our curriculum
Examination results
Academy performance table
Enhance your experience
We use cookies on this site to improve your user experience.
Accept
Manage your preferences
Our approach to learning
At Heartlands Academy, we are committed to the highest standards of teaching and learning and we are relentless in the desire to improve standards. We want students to become independent, self-motivated learners, developing the qualities that are so highly sought after by colleges, universities and employers. Our curriculum is a crucial part of our delivery of an excellent education to all of our students, enabling them with a life-long appreciation of learning.
The curriculum is ‘knowledge-rich’ and encourages students to acquire and make use of different types of knowledge over time, developing their abilities and mastering the content. It is this cycle of ‘Mastery’ teaching and learning, together with the excellent ‘climate for learning’ in our classrooms that underpins the successful educational outcomes of our students.
Our curriculum is well-structured in each subject area, with high-level (long-term) plans that cover entire academic years and key stages, down to medium- and short-term plans that specify the exact content to be taught and how best to teach it. Our teaching methods are scaffolded carefully to ensure we cater for the needs of all our students, including those who may have special educational needs or disabilities (SEND), or those with English as an additional language (EAL). We also carefully consider the learning of the highest-ability pupils, allowing opportunities to deepen learning and stretch them to their full potential.
Planning for SEND at Heartlands Academy
At Heartlands Academy, we are relentless in our
‘unapologetic pursuit of academic excellence’
, thus we are dedicated to providing an ambitious curriculum tailored to support our SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) students in achieving their full potential. Our approach is comprehensive, involving adaptive learning strategies and scaffolding to ensure all students can access and excel in their studies. Here’s how we do it:
Ambitious Curriculum with Adaptive Learning and Scaffolding
1. Ambitious Objectives:
We set high expectations for all our students, including those with SEND. Our curriculum is designed to be challenging yet achievable, ensuring every student can reach ambitious academic objectives.
2. Adaptive Learning:
Our teaching strategies are flexible and responsive to the individual needs of students. We employ a variety of adaptive learning techniques to tailor instruction to each student’s unique learning profile. This might include differentiated tasks, personalized learning plans, and the use of assistive technology.
3. Scaffolding Support:
Scaffolding is integral to our teaching approach. We provide temporary support structures to help students understand new concepts and gradually remove these supports as they become more proficient. This includes breaking down complex tasks into manageable steps, providing visual aids, and using models and examples.
Clear Mapping of Curriculum Across All Subjects
Curriculum Mapping:
We ensure a cohesive and consistent learning experience through clear mapping of the curriculum across all subjects. This mapping highlights key learning objectives, essential skills, and assessment points, ensuring that all students, including those with SEND, have a clear learning pathway.
Heartlands Teaching and Learning Excellence Lesson Framework
1. Structured Lesson Framework:
Every lesson at Heartlands Academy follows our Teaching and Learning Excellence Lesson Framework. This framework ensures that lessons are well-structured, with clear objectives, engaging activities, and appropriate levels of challenge and support for all students.
2. Incorporating Scaffolding:
Our lesson framework incorporates varying levels of scaffolding to support students at different stages of learning. Teachers use scaffolding techniques such as guided practice, collaborative learning, and step-by-step instruction to help students grasp new concepts and skills.
Well-Researched Pedagogical Approaches
1. ‘Teach Like A Champion’ by Doug Lemov:
We draw on the pedagogical strategies from Doug Lemov’s ‘Teach Like A Champion’. These techniques, such as ‘No Opt Out’, ‘Right is Right’, and ‘Cold Call’, ensure that all students are engaged, accountable, and consistently challenged to achieve their best.
2. ‘WALKTHRUS’ by Tom Sherrington and Oliver Caviglioli:
The principles from ‘WALKTHRUS’ guide our teaching practices, emphasizing effective instructional strategies like ‘signal-pause-insist’, ‘positive framing’, and ‘probing questioning’. These approaches help create an inclusive and supportive classroom environment where all students can thrive.
Unapologetic Pursuit of Academic Excellence
Supportive and Inclusive Environment:
Our commitment to academic excellence is unwavering. We believe in the potential of every student and are unapologetic in our pursuit of their academic success. By providing the appropriate level of support and challenge, we ensure that all students, including those with SEND, can achieve excellence.
Continuous Professional Development:
Our staff engage in ongoing professional development to stay abreast of the latest research and best practices in education. This continuous learning enables us to refine our approaches and ensure that we are providing the best possible support for our students.
At Heartlands Academy, we are dedicated to creating an inclusive, ambitious, and supportive learning environment. Through adaptive learning, strategic scaffolding, a well-mapped curriculum, and the implementation of proven pedagogical approaches, we ensure that all our students, especially those with SEND, have the opportunity to excel academically.
Sport and arts are an important part of our academy identity and we encourage all students to take an active part in extra-curricular activities. The ability of the performing arts to embrace all subject disciplines and social activities empowers students with the skills needed to communicate more effectively in whatever profession they end up involved in.
Our curriculum is fully inclusive and meets the needs of all students and the requirements of the Equality Act 2010 and the Special Educational Needs and Disability Regulations 2014.
Equality Objectives
Academy Accessibility Policy
Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and Learning Policy
To find out more about Heartlands Academy’s curriculum, please contact our Heads of Department or your child’s learning manager. Details of which can be found at:
Meet the Heartlands Team
.
More from Academy life
Get in touch
How to apply for a place at Heartlands
Find out more
We recommend
Our curriculum
Examination results
Academy performance table