Approaches to learning in 
Junior School: why it matters

When combined with the learner profile, development of the approaches to learning will help students learn how to learn and become self-regulated, active and agentic learners.

Why do we use the approaches to learning?

The approaches to learning develop cognitive and metacognitive skills, which are transferable to different types of learning and school contexts.

How do we use the approaches to learning?

Through collaborative planning between the classroom teachers, specialist teachers, support teachers, and the Deputy of Teaching & Learning, we consider how to develop the approaches to learning holistically, identifying connections between approaches to learning and the learner profile attributes.

For example, thinking skills are necessary to become an effective thinker or an inquirer.

We embed the approaches to learning implicitly in the classroom culture by:

• using the language of the approaches to learning
• modelling the approaches to learning
• giving feedback about the approaches to learning.

Our teachers establish the approaches to learning explicitly through their programme of inquiry by:

• identifying specific approaches to learning for development in a unit of inquiry
• co-constructing approaches to learning goals
• reflecting on specific approaches to learning from each unit
• designing specific learning engagements to support the development of approaches to learning
• monitoring and documenting the development of approaches to learning.

You can support the approaches to learning authentically with your child at home by developing:

Thinking skills:

• Model the language of thinking, such as "I wonder", "I noticed", "I inferred"
• Ask open-ended questions
• Provide sufficient thinking time to respond to questions, and so on.

Research skills:

• Ensure sufficient time for uninterrupted play to practise and develop research skills.
• Model academic integrity by acknowledging where materials and ideas came from.
• Encourage your child to explore a variety of perspectives.

Communication skills:

• Plan opportunities for your child to practise and apply these skills in meaningful contexts.
• Model appropriate, respectful and rich language use.
• Put thinking ahead of knowing.

Social skills:

• Provide opportunities for your child to reflect on their social skills.
• Provide feedback on different interactions and observed moments.
• Model social skills and language needed to greet, solve problems and sharing resources.

Self-management skills:

• Support your children with transitions by sharing a visual timetable and reminders.
• Create an atmosphere where learning can be a process of gradual improvement.
• Develop the ability to self-regulate (including focus, managing emotions and choices)

Mr Warwick Norman
Deputy Head of Junior School - Teaching and Learning