No Marking Feedback

June 25, 2018 Mr Roberts Leave a comment

After developing some basic approaches to no marking feedback beginning in our inset in September, teachers have been researching and evolving approaches to fine tune their feedback. This also includes supporting children to feedback on their own and others’ work. Taking this even further, the Key Stage 2 teachers have been involved in a research pilot project with Dr. Deborah Jones of Brunel University. What skills and knowledge do teachers and pupils need to learn in order to engage in the most effective feedback?

Dr. Jones joins us on Wednesday to share the research so far…watch this space!

Best quote from a teacher so far, “The children are writing what I would have written, but immediately in the lesson. This means they can carry on driving their learning without having to wait for their worked to be marked by the teacher the next day or week!”

Exciting times at Maple Cross!

No marking feedback

June 23, 2018 Mrs Trickett Leave a comment

On Friday afternoon a pupil from Year 4 shared a detailed update about how non-marking feedback is changing and supporting their learning development. This insight is just a sneak peak of what is to come! Next week pupils across school will be sharing more of their learning with colleagues at a conference hosted by Equipping Kids.

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The pupil shared their thoughts on learning . . . . .

“I used to feel confused and frustrated in my writing. I had ideas . . . . they were no good ideas. This time I select my targets in the morning. The target can not be too hard or too easy, it has to be just right.”

“You have to stop, think . . . . reflect back. I took ideas from Michael Morpurgo, our Kaspar book and then started to write short sentences to impact the reader.”

“Writing my targets gave me time to think, I need less distractions, music helps me.”

“I used to worry that I can’t do it, now . . . . . . I don’t worry, I know the teacher is around, being frustrated and confused doesn’t happen any more or if I do worry I’ll ask again.”

Maple Cross at HertsCam Annual Conference 2018

June 23, 2018 Mrs Trickett Leave a comment

Today 5 colleagues from Maple Cross travelled to Barnwell Middle school to join the HertsCam Annual Conference. There were key note speakers, seminars and workshops all around the central theme of teacher leadership. HertsCam participants from across Hertfordshire primary, secondary and specialist schools joined colleagues from elsewhere in the UK as well as guests from across Europe and China.

Discussions and focusses were around; pupil voice, pupil leadership and school organisations.

We were privileged to hear from students of Challney Girls school in Luton talk about their inspirational work around gender equality and some of the struggles girls and women face. Although, listening to their passionate talks we are sure they will be continuing to challenge and change this.

Welcome to EYFS

June 21, 2018 Mrs Trickett Leave a comment

Today it has been great to welcome families to some information sessions about the EYFS. New parents bonded over a cup of tea and had opportunities to explore learning from the perspective of a 3 and 4 year old.

We look forward to welcoming new Nursery children to stay and play sessions on Monday 9th, Wednesday 11th and Friday 13th.

Move and Learn

June 20, 2018 Mrs Fawcett Leave a comment

Year 5 are taking part in the ‘Move and Learn’ programme run by Watford Football Club. Each week they explore different aspects of healthy bodies, diets and activities before taking part in a different sport. They will practise football, handball and dodgeball. This week, they looked at the effects of exercise on the body and how we change when we are exercising. They learnt to take their pulse and monitor how this changes through exercise.

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Reach Free Spanish

June 20, 2018 Mrs Fawcett Leave a comment

This morning, Year 6 were treated to an exciting morning of Spanish at the Reach Free school. The Year 7 children at the school led four different activities for our children to experience. Year 6 were engaged and focussed on all the different activities and showed tremendous risk taking by having a go at the new and unfamiliar vocabulary. The children commented, “I learnt that Spanish is hard but fun so this was a great chance to learn.” and “I loved today. I never thought I would enjoy Spanish but I love it. I am glad I got the opportunity.” What did you enjoy? What did you learn?