Learning walks
Ensuring the engagement of all learners in our
schools
The School Council Tour
Dilwyn Jones
Senior Adviser/Uwch Ymgynghorydd
Flintshire School Improvement Team/Tim Gwelliant Ysgolion Sir Fflint
Room /Ystafell 3265
County Hall/Neuadd y Sir
Mold/Yr Wyddgrug CH7 6ND
Tel/Ffon: 01352 704037
Email/Ebost: dilwyn.jones@flintshire.gov.uk
This booklet gives you some tools and templates that you can use to help you plan and
conduct your Learning Walks.
The templates are designed to give you ideas and frameworks for planning your walk,
collecting data during the walk and reflecting on what your walk has taught your walkers
about the school.
When you are planning your walk you will need to agree protocols with the staff from the
school where you are walking and with the walkers. Part of this agreement will be about
the tools and forms that you use. You can use the frameworks in this guide as a basis
for these discussions but your walk will be more successful if you adapt them to suit your
context, your schools and your staff.
There are some questions your school will need to consider BEFORE you walk. Paying
attention to these questions as part of the planning of the walk will help your Learning
Walks to be a successful and useful learning experience for all those involved.
What will you have to do to get leaders on board and active?
Who will participate and why?
In what CPD have teachers participated? What was its focus and what were the specific
outcomes?
How will you select the classrooms to visit?
What are the timing and resource implications? (before, during and after the walk)
How will teachers be notified?
How will teachers be involved?
What will be the focus for the enquiry?
What is the role of students, and how can they effectively be involved?
How and when will you feedback the data collected to the staff who have been visited?
Finding a focus for your walk.
What is our Pupil Learning Focus?
The focus of the learning walk will be ethos and tidiness around the school
The group of people undertaking the walk are:
Mr.Andrew Jones – Headteacher
Mrs.Melanie Drake – Deputy Headteacher
Rev. MacCaw – Governor
Cory Williams – Chair of the School Council
Which aspect of this are we hoping to investigate with our Learning Walk? (year
group/subject/principle/behaviours)
Looking at certain areas inside the school. These will include all the classrooms and also
areas outside the classrooms including the office, entrance , foyer, QAN library area, Junior
corridor, Junior cloakrooms, Infant corridor, ICT Suite, Library, Staffroom and Hall
What CPD have our staff been part of that we would expect to help them with the
pupil learning focus?
The issue of tidiness is in our current SDP
It is an issue / are that the school council would like to improve and monitor
What are the changes we would expect to see in classrooms as a result of the
CPD?
What will our work around the pupil learning focus actually look like?
What will we see?
Displays, certain features around the school, classrooms, hall , cloakrooms, We will see
whether there is a welcoming ethos as we walk around the school and see the level of
tidiness around the school
On displays
Are they stimulating? Are they up to date? Are they tidy with all borders new and work
mounted in an interesting way? Does it promote learning? Have the children contributed
to it?
In classroom organisation
Tidiness of the classrooms – is there a good example set by the teacher? Are things
kept orderly or are there things just left lying around? Do the children have pride in their
classroom? Are there routines for tidying up?
In books and work
N/A
In classroom management and behaviour
Do the children engaged in their learning and appear to be enthusiastic for the work that
they are doing? Is there any discipline problems
What will we hear?
When we talk to children?
We will seek their views on the tidiness of their classroom/ question the children
regarding their work? Are they clear what they are supposed to be doing?
When we talk to teachers?
Any issues relating to ethos and tidiness
When we observe a whole class?
Comment on overall tidiness
Is there a welcoming / warm feeling from the children?
Capturing Data.
You will need to agree a way of capturing the data each of you walkers collects. Below
is an example of a data capture sheet that your school may use/amend when
investigating their pupil learning focus.
Recording Sheet for Learning Walk.
Pupil Learning Focus:
Ethos and Environment
e.g: I noticed….I saw….I heard
What did we see/ notice outside the classrooms
The team thought that the Heads office area was spacious. Nice to see the SDP displayed
for all to see. There is also a new PPA area with a desk for staff to undertake their PPA. Two
other notice boards include school notices and reading posters with relevant quotes
regarding the beauty of reading. Kept tidy. Maybe some of the borders on the wall displays
may need replacing
The entrance to the school is very secure. It includes the Eisteddfod chair from the 1921
Eisteddfod in Leeswood, together with two books’ – ‘Leeswood in the Past’ and ‘A history of
Pontblyddyn Cricket Club’. Welcome display in different languages needs repairing and put
back to its original form
The foyer is a welcoming area with three chairs, a table and a board which includes the
school mission, aims, rules, staff photo, and awards achieved. It has also recently been
revamped with an Autism Awareness table. There are also various plaques and photographs
relevant the school’s achievements.
The Resource room of the foyer houses all the resources for the school.This includes
books, equipment, photocopiers, Ed Tech equipment, and extra resources. It is functional
and well used during the day. It does need a general tidy and timetables etc changed.
The Hall is a suitable size for the amount of children in the school. It is welcoming and has
benefitted from a repaint, new curtains and new concert curtains. Hall display reflects the
welcoming ethos at Ysgol Derwenfa displaying all the hands of the children as one big family.
There are various storage containers around the hall owing to the lack of storage. Generally
tidy.
The new ICT suite is fully equipped with 10 PC’s and is located next to the new library. ICT
suite can get very untidy if work children have been working on is left or children’s books are
left. The shelving is new and the school was able to purchase many new books to restock
and replace older books. There are some books ‘out of place’ and there needs to be regular
tidying.
The corridors are reasonably tidy and coats are hung on their pegs. The display in the
corridors follows a theme, based on Religious Education. They are colourful, vibrant,
stimulating and encourage learning. There is a board that celebrates the HT awards, a board
dedicated to School eisteddfod (needs updating) and Urdd activities. Also a board detailing
work undertaken for our Eco school project (this needs updating). Tray tops are tidy, but
could do with replacing as they are showing some signs of’ wear and tear’.
The cloakrooms are fairly spacious. The mobile cloaks in the Year 5/6 could be moved back
into the middle of the room to create more peg access. PE mat and corner posts need to
removed. They could be tidier.
The school provides the children with fresh drinking water from the water cooler
The Art cupboard houses all the Art materials for the school. It is very small and thus very
cluttered. Desperately in need of a tidy and complete revamp
Outside Mr. Godwin’s class is used as the AN teaching area and houses the reading book
library. Some of the reading books need to be replaced in the correct place. Stove, cooking
equipment, computer etc are located in this area. They do create clutter, but owing to lack of
space unsure where they can be relocated to.
The staffroom is small and with an increased staff there is sometimes a lack of chairs to sit
on. Wall displays need updating and also tidied regularly.
Year 6 D&T area is generally tidy, but could do with D&T display updated as well as Art
display.
What did we see /notice inside the classrooms
Early years Unit – well equipped and organised. Stimulating displays that promotes learning
Moving towards the foundation Phase
Year 1 / 2 – smaller area. Well organised. Reorganised to cater for the Foundation phase
moving into |year 1 and 2. Use is also made of the classroom next door for construction ,
creative, role play and maths work
Year 3 – reasonably tidy. New interactive whiteboard being utilised. Lovely Egyptian artefacts
display of objects that the children have brought in. Sink and sink areas are a little untidy.
Probably could benefit from new tables and tray holders
Year 4/5 – generally tidy. Desk could be tidier. Vibrant atmosphere.
Year 6 - very tidy and orderly. Colourful and vibrant displays. Children enthusiastic about
their learning and work
What did we see / notice outside the school building
N/A
What did you see / notice about the children?
The children were all engaged in their learning. They were ‘on task’ and enthusiastic to show
their work. All classes observed showed very good discipline. The children were polite and
willing to share what they were doing. There was a feeling of well being and a sense that the
children enjoyed coming to school
What did you notice about the teachers
Caring / friendly / enthusiastic / professional. It felt that the teachers genuinely cared for the
welfare of all the children in their care
What did you hear in and outside of the school?
N/A
Reflecting on the walk.
You will need to provide your walkers with a way of reflecting on all their observations
and a way of finding common threads, issues or questions. This is done as the
walkers progress round the school in the corridor debrief and during the final debrief
discussion. The lead walker takes responsibility for making sure that the observations
are evidence based and for leading the final debrief.
Schools may find it useful to provide a framework for individuals to make sense of their
observations before they begin the debrief discussion.
This suggested framework may be further developed by your school to fit the individual
context of the school and/or learning focus. Each walker could take between five and
ten minutes to reflect on the walk and to collate their observations before the final
debrief. As well as allowing the walkers to make their own sense of the walk it also
provides valuable written observations for the lead walker.
Recording Sheet for reflecting on the walk.
Look through your observation sheets and review your notes:
Things that I liked as I was walking around the school about the learning environment:
Mr. Andrew Jones ( Headteacher)
The reception is welcoming. The SDP on the wall shows all stakeholders where the
school is going. Display boards could do with borders etc replaced.
Welcoming entrance, but welcome sign needs putting back to its original state
The school foyer is very welcoming and shows what we are about at Ysgol Derwenfa. It
is currently tidy, but achievement books and photo album needs redisplaying
The resource room achieves its function. There does need to be regular checks of
tidiness.
The AN library is fairly tidy, but children need reminding that books need to be replaced
in the correct places to avoid sense of untidiness.
Year 4/5 classroom was a ‘hive of activity’. All the children were engaged in their
learning and enthusiastic about the task they had been set. Teachers desk is cluttered
and needs a tidy. Some borders on displays need replacing
Art cupboard is too small. Desperately in need of a good tidy
Year 6 area is generally tidy. The D&T and art displays need changing as they are
displaying previous years work.
Year 6 classroom is very tidy and organised with colourful and vibrant displays. Very
conducive to learning. The children were very enthusiastic to talk about their learning
Year 3 classroom could benefit from new tables and trays, as well as new sink area.
Excellent display of Egyptian artefacts that the children have brought in from home and
also made.
Junior cloakroom was generally tidy – some coats and bags on the floor. The mobile
cloaks could do with being put back into the middle of the room to ensure more access
to pegs. Boxes need repairing / revamping.
Infant corridor is tidy. The Eco schools board needs updating / replacing. The welsh
board also needs bringing up to date. Ensure that the ICT Suite are tidied regularly as
well as the library
Year 1 and 2 classroom has been adapted to meet the needs of the Foundation Phase
for year 1 and 2 children. Very organised and tidy
Early year’s corridor is very cramped and could benefit from more pegs. Fantastic
displays of a very high standard
Early year’s classroom/ area is fully equipped and furnished to deliver teh foundation
Phase effectively. Very well organised and vibrant. Super Learning environment. Outside
area fence could do with repainting
Staffroom is very small for the number of staff. Display boards could do with changing
and updating
The school Hall is adequate for the number of pupils at Ysgol Derwenfa. New curtains,
new concert curtains and a repaint have improved the look of the hall. Owing to lack of
storage can appear ‘cluttered’
Mrs. Melanie Drake ( Deputy Headteacher)
The reception is a little cluttered at the moment owing to the amount of donations for
our Christmas Fayre. Maybe frame the paintings from the junior D&T area
Welcoming entrance, but the Croeso sign needs fixing
The resource room needs a general tidy and timetables need updating
The AN library is fairly tidy, but corner by Mr. Godwin’s class needs tidying
Year 4/5 – very colourful. Energetic and eager children who were on task and
enthusiastic. All the children were involved in their learning.
Year 6 area is generally tidy. D&T display needs replacing as well Art pictures of
Leeswood. Sink area is tidy but not attractive
Year 6 classroom has colourful and attractive displays. The children were enjoying their
task of creating posters for Victorian inventions and willing to show their work
Year 3 classrooms sink needs a good clean or replacing completely as well as the
aprons under the sink. Effective Welsh display and class library is generally tidy.
Teacher’s desk needs tidying and snooker table in the sink area needs disposing of
Junior cloakroom is very congested. Need to move the coat pegs to the middle of the
room and remove the cardboard tube/ bird box and corner posts.Also Gym mat needs to
be removed
Infant corridor is generally tidy. The Eco Schools and Welsh display needs updating.
ICT Area is well used by teachers and pupils and the library is a bright colourful and
happy area
Year 1 and 2 classroom is very spacious, well equipped. Storage is a problem.
Organised well for the Foundation Phase
Early year’s corridor has fabulous displays. The cloakroom is very tidy at the moment
but can get extremely untidy.
Early year’s classroom is very well equipped with inspiring displays. Areas are clearly
defined. Excellent environment for young children to learn effectively. Storage room is
quite small.
Staffroom is very small for numbers of staff. Notice boards need updating and a general
tidy up is needed.
The school Hall is spacious and very clean, but does need more storage. Musical
instruments could do with a general tidy, as well as the PE store
Rev Martin Macaw (Governor)
The reception area is welcoming and the serves its purpose
Welcoming entrance needs the ‘croeso’ display updating
The school foyer is welcoming, display board needs backing changing.
The resource room is functional. Just needs a general tidy. Maybe there are too many
resources in the room which makes the room appear ‘cluttered’
The AN library needs books tidying further, but difficult to fully keep tidy owing to the
fact that it a working library
Year 4/5 was a busy atmosphere. Children were excited about their work. The class
were controlled, with not too much mess.
Year 6 area generally tidy, but there was a plastic bottle behind one of the cupboards by
the Art display that needs removing.
Year 6 classroom is colourful and tidy and the children were very happy to share their
work.
Year 3 classroom is generally tidy, but felt that the teacher’s desk was too small and
thus appeared ‘cluttered’. The mat in the year 3 cloakroom is turning up at the door end
Junior cloakroom - there were some of the coats on the floor. There is more storage
needed
Infant corridor is generally tidy. Welsh and Eco schools displays need updating.
Year 1 and 2 classroom is very tidy and conducive to learning. It also reflects the
Foundation Phase.
Early year’s corridor is very tidy. Boxes on the floor could be straighter
Early year’s classroom is very tidy
Staffroom is very small. Could do with a tidying up
The school hall is well used and suitable for the amount of children in school
Cory Williams (Chair of the School Council)
The reception is colourful and serves a purpose
Welcoming entrance needs the ‘Croeso’ sign updating
The school foyer is colourful, bright, welcoming and warm, but could with tidying up a
little
The resource room could with a general tidy and also some boxes could be replaced to
create some space.
The AN library needs all the books placed in the correct place and kept tidy all the time
Year 4/5 is colourful and bright. It is also welcoming. Mr. Godwin’s desk needs a tidy.
Children working very well on their task.
Year 6 area is tidy at the moment but needs D&T display changing
Year 6 classroom is welcoming, with colourful displays. The desks are tidy and clean.
The pupils are very kind and pleasant. The book shelves are tidy and it is well suited for
children’s learning
Year 3 classroom is very warm and the children were listening very well. Colourful
displays. Mrs,Drake needs tidy her desk. The year 3 cloakrooms have coats and bags
on the floor. It also feels quite cold
Junior cloakroom needs moving around. Need to move cloaks into middle of the room.
Infant corridor is bright, colourful, warm and well presented. Some of the displays need
changing. The ICT Suite is generally tidy. But needs ‘keeping on top of’. The main library
is bright and colourful. Some books need to be put back in right place on the shelves
Year 1 and 2 is very bright and tidy
Early year’s corridor is tidy at times. Lovely displays. Could do with some extra pegs.
Early year’s classroom is tidy and colourful and well presented for children. It is well
suited for children. The fences need painting in the outdoor area.
Staffroom is small and there is not enough chairs to go around.
The school hall is a very good size, clean and well painted. The PE store and Music
trolley could do with a general tidy
Areas for Development
Junior Cloakroom – move mobile cloaks into the middle of the room so that both sides
can be utilised to create more space. Boxes also need replacing. The School council
members will monitor how this goes and feedback their results
Sinks – need to cleaned or replaced owing to the fact that they are becoming a little
unattractive. Tray holders and trays could do with replacing and updated with newer
ones. New tables and chairs in Year 3 classroom.
ICT Suite – some of the computers need repairing or replacing
Involve the School Council – tidy monitors. Tidiness awards for tidiest classrooms.
School council to judge each month / week. Responsibilities for tidying areas mentioned
in the reflection.
Ethos twilights for the staff – the staff to continue with the ethos / tidying twilight’s
where staff agree on tidying a certain area of the school
Displays – Eco schools, Welsh, D&T, Art display in year 6, ‘Croeso’ sign need updating
Resource room and art cupboard need tidying regularly and rearranging
Feeding back to staff.
It is very important that staff who have been visited have the opportunity to hear
feedback as soon as possible after the walk.
This may best be done through a meeting rather than by writing.
When you agree your protocols for the walk you will also need to agree protocols for
feeding back to staff. This is vital if the Learning Walk is to be seen as a real learning
opportunity and not an external observation or monitoring exercise.
Your school will need to consider some or all of the following questions.
What information will be fed back to the staff?
When will it happen?
Where will it happen?
Will it be as individuals or as a whole group?
How will the observation evidence be shared with the headteacher?
How will the observation evidence be shared with the staff?
How will next steps be identified with the staff?
How will the whole staff and access the data that has been generated?
Who is responsible for planning the next walk?
What is the next learning opportunity for staff?
How will you decide the focus for the next walk?
How will you celebrate achievement?
How will your school provide an overview of the next steps, including a description of
learning opportunities for staff?