Learning Walks

9 replies

Nantwich1969 · 02/12/2011 16:27

Learning walks are not part of a teacher's contract and therefore Headteachers should not be doing them. Teachers have clear, statutory Performance Management regulations, that can be mulit-purpose etc and there is no need for LW. 30% of all teachers experience a long term absence during thier teaching careers so something happening in our classrooms is clearly going wrong. Pro rata, I would like to know how many Headteachers suffer similar long term absences. It is my belief that Learning Walks are a danger to the physical and mental health of teachers. I would love to know other's ideas on this topic.

OP posts:

claig · 02/12/2011 16:29

What are learning walks?

roisin · 02/12/2011 16:44

I don't understand why you think LWs are a danger to physical and mental health? Particularly if they're unnannounced - no stress in anticipation there.

I think they're a great idea tbh, and much better than pre-planned high-octane lesson observations.

Fraidylady · 02/12/2011 19:44

We did a learning walk recently focussing on behaviour in the school. There was global feedback in a staff meeting, with a couple of points raised re. the behaviour policy. They are incredibly useful to make sure that everyone is singing from the same hymn sheet. Governors are doing one focussed on maths starters soon. Much better than having an hour long's observation.

Lifeissweet · 02/12/2011 19:54

We have termly lesson observations, learning walks about once a fortnight (announced and not) and a weekly book scrutiny at my school - and I was off sick with stress for 2 months last year. I do think these things are related.

However, none of those things would be a problem if I wasn't overloaded with 3 million other things. Really, having my books looked at and having someone walking into my class with a clipboard should be fine. After all, I have faith in my teaching. It is, however, constantly stressful because of everything else I am expected to do. Learning walks are usually focused on one area, but certain things are always checked on - are the children's targets ticked up to date? Are their APP sheets ticked and dated, are your working walls updated?...it's endless.

On top of which, I am a core curriculum co-ordinator, so have half termly meetings to look at progress on my action plan and run 3 after school clubs and have one of the most challenging classes in a school full of challenging classes.

I'm not sure whether learning walks are to blame for my stress - I think it may actually just be a host of other stuff.

TheFallenMadonna · 02/12/2011 20:01

I do learning walks as a HoD. I write them up generally with no names, although I will namecheck really good practice. I spend a lot of my time in other teacher's classrooms and have them in mine too, and think it is essential to provide a supportive environment within the department. Learning walks by SLT are a significantly more scary experience.

twinklytroll · 02/12/2011 20:05

I have no issue with learning walks and welcome them. As a professional I am not doing anything in my room that needs to be hidden. If I have not done something it would be because I have not had time and I would have no problem in letting anyone know that.

roisin · 02/12/2011 20:34

Learning walks are a really good learning tool for those doing them as well. All staff should have the opportunity to do a learning walk IMO.

twinklytroll · 02/12/2011 21:09

I agree roisin

Fraidylady · 02/12/2011 22:07

I agree - it's a kind of 'joining-up-the-school' observation. It's got to be a useful thing for the leadership team and governors.

Flip