Over the term break, I had the privilege of attending a Science of Learning Tour of England. July 5th - 12th, 2023

It was an incredible experience and I was able to learn so much from my time visiting schools, education conferences and various professionals in the field of evidence-based teaching and learning practices. 

Summary
Tour Goals

1. To learn from England’s experience implementing:
  a. Evidence-based reading instruction, phonics programs and national phonics check
  b. Evidence-based teaching and learning in schools
  c. School and system improvement (eg Ambition Institute, Academy schools StepLab) based on the above
  d. Effective models of teacher professional learning for early career and/or experienced teachers and pre-service teachers

2. To share with English colleagues and partners the work that is being done in Australia (eg Catalyst program)

3. To build the bridge between Science of Learning informed education reformers in England and Australia as an accelerator for both countries - to share knowledge and practice, learn from each others successes and mistakes.

Overview
Knowledge Society hosted 16 Australian educators in England for a study tour. Why was England chosen for a study tour? Not only has England moved to fourth in the world, and even performed ahead of Finland in PIRLS reading, but it's in the grip of a major national effort to improve the coherence and ambition of curriculum in schools. There is so much to learn from the thought leaders here.
Activities:
 ● Festival of Education, including sessions from Daisy Christodoulou, Tom Rees and Ben Newark, Paul A. Kirschner and many more
 ● Meeting with Amanda Spielman, Head of Ofsted
 ● Day with Ambition Institute on Professional Learning reform and design and StepLab on Instructional Coaching
 ● Attended researchED Cheshire hearing from Mary Myatt on curriculum, Alex Quigley on Writing, and Simon Day on Oracy, among others.
 ● Meetings with Minister of State Nick Gibb, Daisy Christodoulou, Tom Rees, Leora Cruddas who have led the reform movement in the past decade.
 ● School visits - Ark Soane Academy and Michaela Community School

Key Take Aways

• It was an incredibly affirming trip for me as a school leader. Our school and system are on the right path with our approach to teaching and learning. Our students are receiving high-quality evidence-based instruction that the UK have been implementing for the past 10 years. This implementation has seen the UK climb to number 4 in the world in reading.
• We are extremely lucky to have the teachers we do, in front of our students. They are engaging in high impact teaching practices and they provide genuine care for their students.
• There is a lot to be said for effective Oracy. Oracy is the ability to express oneself fluently and grammatically in speech. I witnessed two schools that instil this in their students at a high level. Students were able to stand in front of their peers without hesitation and deliver impromptu speeches that were both engaging and precise.
• Routines are key to creating an environment that reduces the cognitive load of our students. With consistent whole school routines in place, students can enter classrooms in an optimal state, ready for the next learning experience.