Lesson Study - Enhancing learning through professional collaboration and enquiry

Lesson study is an approach to lesson observation that began in Japan and is now gathering a large following in this country. There is significant evidence emerging of the impact this approach has in supporting both improving the quality of teaching and outcomes for pupils. Professor Peter Dudley has written an informative book Lesson Study: Professional learning for our time on this approach and is an advocate of its efficacy as a powerful CPD tool for schools to use in developing highly effective learning communities. If you would like to read more about the research click here. The emphasis is on teachers planning a lesson together so that they can observe how well it works in practice. The teachers target individual pupils to follow through the lesson in relation to their progress and the impact on learning as a result of the strategies employed throughout the length of the lesson.

The teachers then reflect on the teaching, the learning, the resources used and what went well and what they would do differently next time. This is a collaborative process that does require a time commitment and it works best when it is planned as an integral part of the school's improvement strategy. Lesson study aligns so closely with the development of a coaching model and can really support the school's vision to embed a coaching culture where the sharing and cascading of good and best practice is a visible part of the performance management system and where the whole focus is on how pupils learn and how teachers development is at the forefront of the school's vision. We have developed a new training opportunity that looks in detail at the principles of lesson study and focuses on the practicalities of how to build it into a whole school CPD strategy where the approach is seen as a priority where the time and the resources are allocated, where there is a commitment from the senior leadership team to develop teams in this way and where teachers can learn the coaching skills they need to collaborate effectively through reflection and the development of positive professional dialogue.

The day will include:-

• Reflecting on current practice in relation to CPD and a look at some of the research that emphasises how professional development is most effective if it is developed as part of a whole school collaborative approach and those involved can see the part they play in driving change and improvement
• A focus on the principles of lesson study and its efficacy as part of a whole school CPD strategy
• An in-depth review of current practice in relation to lesson observation, its purpose and its impact on learning and achievement for both teachers and learners
• An opportunity to look closely at coaching principles and how they apply in the context of a lesson study approach and as part of a whole school sustainable and cost effective CPD strategy
• Time to practice some coaching techniques and to raise awareness of the skills and attributes of a coach and how these can be used to create opportunities for self - reflection and self improvement
• Resources for further planning and to provide a framework for sharing and cascading the learning from the day

Who should attend?

This event is relevant to a range of professionals within a school or college who want to learn about this significant development in CPD thinking. Firstly, line managers who have responsibility for teachers and who are part of the lesson observation process. Also teachers who want to learn how to implement a lesson study approach and use the coaching techniques that are pertinent to high quality feedback. It is also highly relevant to senior leaders who want to learn about the principles of both coaching and lesson study in order that they can plan how to include this approach in their strategic planning. Also those with responsibility for CPD who can learn from the day and then take back all the resources to develop teams of staff back in school.

All our events are held in city or town centre locations or local to the main rail and road links. We usually begin with refreshments and registration at 9.30 with a 10.00 start and we usually finish between 3.30 and 4.00.