My pedogocial principles
If I was to run a school and put pedagogical principles in place, I would first think about how I would like the school to be run. For example, my dream school would be very inclusive, diverse, welcoming and trustworthy.
To start with inclusive; I would do my very best to ensure that all children are included in every possible way in order to make their school education as equal and as fun as any other child. In order to do this, I could I make some physical changes to the school. If there was children within the school who have a physical disability then taking part in activities may be hard for them. In order for them to become equal I would add things like ramps to all school entrance’s to ensure that they had access to all area’s of the school so they could participate. Also, I would have a room where the floor is covered in soft mats in order for the children who have a physical disability to be able to take part in subjects like Physical Education and Games; instead of them not being able to participate with the other children. Just to note here, I will make sure that all children were on the soft mats and not just the children with a disability, as this would also make them feel not included if they were separated. Additionally, this also co-insides with one of Donaldson’s 12 pedagogical principles “Encourage Collaboration” (Impact Wales, 2018). By ‘encouraging collaboration’ between children of different abilities, then the children not only feel more included but they also learn about each other and the length of their abilities. This will then help in the future and in the classroom, when certain pupils may need help with something and then other may be able to help them because they are more aware of their disability. They might also just like to talk about their disability aswell to give knowledge to the other children, in order to educate others.
Moreover, I also think it would be very important to focus on the types of people that would be accepted into the school. I would ensure that every single child that came to my school would be welcomed with open arms, and accepted in every single manner of ways. For example, I know that children with a roman gypsy background are not quite included in everything when they go to school. Due to them traveling all the time, they are not usually in one particular school for a long period of time; because of this, some teachers just give them a piece of work to do and don’t really focus on them very much because they will be gone in a few weeks. However, in my dream school this would not happen. If a child came into my school with the roman gypsy background, then they would get treated the exact same as all the other children in the class. I would ensure that they took a little test at the start so I was able to understand where their academic ability lays, and then I would assign tasks and work to them just like I would any other kid. They would also receive things like homework and tasks to do at home, so it would also be fair on the other children. If one pupil wasn’t getting homework and all the other children were, this wouldn't be very fair and they wouldn't be included in the whole school life as a whole.
However, on mentioning being inclusive and adding resources I also feel the need to mention about not just the inclusiveness within my school but also with the community around it. “Resources are not just about money. Like barriers they can be found in any aspect of a school; in students, parents/carers, communities, and teachers; in changes in cultures, policies and practices”. ( Booth, T and Ainscow, M, 2002). Agreeing with what Booth and Ainscow say, I believe that a huge part of inclusion is to do with the community around us and that is not just the pupils and the teachers of the school; but the parents and the society around us. At my dream school, I would do my very best in order to ensure that the parents are aware of my principles and can help promote them at home and also get on board with them. I will set up after school meetings and a queries box, if any of the parents have any issues they would like to discuss; and then I could hopefully build a community around us that will understand and accept my principles that would build my dream school.
Moving onto becoming a diverse school, I will do everything in my power in order to promote and encourage diversity within my school. It goes without saying that all children no matter their background, will be accepted into my school. It is so important that diversity is encouraged these days as schools are becoming more and more diverse every day and often some pupils are not aware of other cultures. In order to promote other cultures, I will encourage the pupils of a diverse background to speak about their cultures; maybe doing a power point or bring in some pictures and educate the other children on what it is like in their culture. On top of this, if a child would like to enroll into my school but there is a language barrier; I would get a translator for that pupil so that they were not left alone in a classroom not understanding anything that anybody was saying. On top of this, “It also encourages the appreciation of a diverse school population, and brings a sense of connection between disparate cultural heritages within a single school’s culture. It is certainly in the best interest of students and teachers to focus on the richness of our diversity” (Matthew Lynch, 2016). In my dream school, I would love nothing more than for all children to be accepted of who they are and their family background. Culture is so rich and I think It is very important to recognise this. Again, to connect with Donaldson’s 12 pedagocial principles by children being more aware and accepting of diversity then we are promoting the principle to “support social and emotional development and positive relationships”. (Impact Wales, 2018). If we as a school, can make a more positive relationship through the knowledge of cultures then we will be excelling in supporting the social and emotional needs of all children, this is the end goal for my school who promotes diversity.
Furthermore, to look into becoming a very welcoming and trustworthy school; I will do everything to ensure that every child gets the same warm and accepting welcome of any other child. In order to do this, I will make sure that every child and teacher has the same attitude towards the new pupils of the school; they will be very helpful, talkative and will be there for them if they have any questions or queries about anything in the school. They will not be treated any differently to any other pupil, but will have regular check-ups with a teacher or mentor to see if they are progressing well and fitting into the school appropriately. In order to be trustworthy, I will make sure that if there is a problem then it will be dealt with in a respectful manner, with confidentiality and trust. The pupil’s will be able to come and talk to their teacher or mentor about an issue and it will not be spread further unless deemed necessary. This goes for all pupils. Also, as a school we will be very consistent with our trust. There will be no issue that will be of greater importance than someone else issue, all issues will be dealt with appropriately and will not be spoken of to another member of staff or another pupil unless it was concerning them. I will take great pride in my school being welcoming and trustworthy, and will always do everything in my power for these principles to stay as they are and remain a key goal for the school.
To start with inclusive; I would do my very best to ensure that all children are included in every possible way in order to make their school education as equal and as fun as any other child. In order to do this, I could I make some physical changes to the school. If there was children within the school who have a physical disability then taking part in activities may be hard for them. In order for them to become equal I would add things like ramps to all school entrance’s to ensure that they had access to all area’s of the school so they could participate. Also, I would have a room where the floor is covered in soft mats in order for the children who have a physical disability to be able to take part in subjects like Physical Education and Games; instead of them not being able to participate with the other children. Just to note here, I will make sure that all children were on the soft mats and not just the children with a disability, as this would also make them feel not included if they were separated. Additionally, this also co-insides with one of Donaldson’s 12 pedagogical principles “Encourage Collaboration” (Impact Wales, 2018). By ‘encouraging collaboration’ between children of different abilities, then the children not only feel more included but they also learn about each other and the length of their abilities. This will then help in the future and in the classroom, when certain pupils may need help with something and then other may be able to help them because they are more aware of their disability. They might also just like to talk about their disability aswell to give knowledge to the other children, in order to educate others.
Moreover, I also think it would be very important to focus on the types of people that would be accepted into the school. I would ensure that every single child that came to my school would be welcomed with open arms, and accepted in every single manner of ways. For example, I know that children with a roman gypsy background are not quite included in everything when they go to school. Due to them traveling all the time, they are not usually in one particular school for a long period of time; because of this, some teachers just give them a piece of work to do and don’t really focus on them very much because they will be gone in a few weeks. However, in my dream school this would not happen. If a child came into my school with the roman gypsy background, then they would get treated the exact same as all the other children in the class. I would ensure that they took a little test at the start so I was able to understand where their academic ability lays, and then I would assign tasks and work to them just like I would any other kid. They would also receive things like homework and tasks to do at home, so it would also be fair on the other children. If one pupil wasn’t getting homework and all the other children were, this wouldn't be very fair and they wouldn't be included in the whole school life as a whole.
However, on mentioning being inclusive and adding resources I also feel the need to mention about not just the inclusiveness within my school but also with the community around it. “Resources are not just about money. Like barriers they can be found in any aspect of a school; in students, parents/carers, communities, and teachers; in changes in cultures, policies and practices”. ( Booth, T and Ainscow, M, 2002). Agreeing with what Booth and Ainscow say, I believe that a huge part of inclusion is to do with the community around us and that is not just the pupils and the teachers of the school; but the parents and the society around us. At my dream school, I would do my very best in order to ensure that the parents are aware of my principles and can help promote them at home and also get on board with them. I will set up after school meetings and a queries box, if any of the parents have any issues they would like to discuss; and then I could hopefully build a community around us that will understand and accept my principles that would build my dream school.
Moving onto becoming a diverse school, I will do everything in my power in order to promote and encourage diversity within my school. It goes without saying that all children no matter their background, will be accepted into my school. It is so important that diversity is encouraged these days as schools are becoming more and more diverse every day and often some pupils are not aware of other cultures. In order to promote other cultures, I will encourage the pupils of a diverse background to speak about their cultures; maybe doing a power point or bring in some pictures and educate the other children on what it is like in their culture. On top of this, if a child would like to enroll into my school but there is a language barrier; I would get a translator for that pupil so that they were not left alone in a classroom not understanding anything that anybody was saying. On top of this, “It also encourages the appreciation of a diverse school population, and brings a sense of connection between disparate cultural heritages within a single school’s culture. It is certainly in the best interest of students and teachers to focus on the richness of our diversity” (Matthew Lynch, 2016). In my dream school, I would love nothing more than for all children to be accepted of who they are and their family background. Culture is so rich and I think It is very important to recognise this. Again, to connect with Donaldson’s 12 pedagocial principles by children being more aware and accepting of diversity then we are promoting the principle to “support social and emotional development and positive relationships”. (Impact Wales, 2018). If we as a school, can make a more positive relationship through the knowledge of cultures then we will be excelling in supporting the social and emotional needs of all children, this is the end goal for my school who promotes diversity.
Furthermore, to look into becoming a very welcoming and trustworthy school; I will do everything to ensure that every child gets the same warm and accepting welcome of any other child. In order to do this, I will make sure that every child and teacher has the same attitude towards the new pupils of the school; they will be very helpful, talkative and will be there for them if they have any questions or queries about anything in the school. They will not be treated any differently to any other pupil, but will have regular check-ups with a teacher or mentor to see if they are progressing well and fitting into the school appropriately. In order to be trustworthy, I will make sure that if there is a problem then it will be dealt with in a respectful manner, with confidentiality and trust. The pupil’s will be able to come and talk to their teacher or mentor about an issue and it will not be spread further unless deemed necessary. This goes for all pupils. Also, as a school we will be very consistent with our trust. There will be no issue that will be of greater importance than someone else issue, all issues will be dealt with appropriately and will not be spoken of to another member of staff or another pupil unless it was concerning them. I will take great pride in my school being welcoming and trustworthy, and will always do everything in my power for these principles to stay as they are and remain a key goal for the school.
References
Booth, T. Ainscow, M. (2002); Index for inclusion: developing learning and participation in schools (P.4 ): United Kingdom.
Donaldson’s 12 pedagocial principles (2018): Found on Impact Wales (Accessed 6/12/18). https://www.impact.wales/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/12-Pedagogical-Principles-1.pdf
Matthew Lynch (2016) The Edvocate: 4 reasons why classrooms need diversity education. (Accessed 7/12/18) https://www.theedadvocate.org/4-reasons-classrooms-need-diversity-education/
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