In the learning support department we base ourselves and our ethos on St Isidore: Isidore knew the value and difference between learning and education. He grasped their connection through grace-God’s way of knowing. If we have jeopardized, minimized or overlooked our opportunity to learn, we might turn to God through Isidore.
We can be assured of his assistance because he has given us an example through his extraordinary modeling. He was a master on how to love God through learning and supported others to be educated. That isn’t always easy. Why? Strange as it may sound, knowledge doesn’t always lead us to God or holiness.
Our Ethos
For all who have been discouraged as a student, failed in their studies, felt like school isn’t the right place, we can identify with you. These setbacks and disappointments in the learning process have happened to many thousands of people. That is an excellent reason to turn to St Isidore and St Alban in petition to gain strength and courage to use one’s mind to its fullest potential.
Some wise words from St Isidore:
Prayer purifies us, reading instructs us. Both are good when both are possible. Otherwise, prayer is better than reading. Learning unsupported by grace may get into our ears; it never reaches the heart. But when God’s grace touches our innermost minds to bring understanding, his word which has been received by the ear sinks deep into the heart.
Children Live What They Learn
When children live with criticism They learn to condemn.
When children live with hostility, They learn to fight.
When children live with ridicule, They learn to be shy.
When children live with shame, They learn to feel guilty.
When children live with tolerance, They learn to be patient.
When children live with encouragement, They learn to have faith.
When children live with fairness, They learn confidence.
When children live with security, They learn justice.
When children live with praise, They learn to appreciate.
When children live with approval, They learn to like themselves.
When children live with acceptance and friendship, They learn to find love in the world.
Focus on Literacy, Numeracy and Self Esteem
The Department use the following strategies to improve Literacy, Numeracy and Self Esteem:
Corrective Maths
Numbershark
Corrective Reading
Morphographs
NESSY
Talkabout
Action for English – Comprehension
Action for English – Journal Collaboration
Wordshark
Regular outdoor activity trips
Our Themes
A really exciting part of the Focus Group curriculum is the Themed approach to the scheme of work. Themes aim to encompass the National Curriculum and are designed to fully engage the pupils.
This has been a proven success and pupils rate the themes 8, 9 or even 10 out of 10!!
Themes in Year 7 include:
Nativity, Armies and Farming
Themes in Year 8 include:
Our School Area, Our Culture, Disease, Disaster, Being a Pop Star, Fantasy Football and Making a Skeleton.
Themes in Year 9 include:
The Universe, C.S.I., Choices, Property Developing, Crime, Factory Development and Life or No Life.