Classroom environments both support and enrich the learning of all children. As well as being vibrant and welcoming, the classroom environment is a learning resource, the second teacher, a way of engaging children and building the class community. It can create a sense of ownership and be used to support and promote learning, as well as celebrating children’s work. With careful thought and planning, an effective classroom environment is used as an interactive resource supporting teaching, learning and assessment.
At Jerry Clay Academy we believe that a well organised and stimulating environment has a direct impact on the quality of teaching and learning, and therefore supports raising standards. It enables pupils to develop independence as learners, building on good Early Years Foundation Stage practice.
We provide consistent expectations for all pupils in order to support them, whilst challenging them to give their very best. In this way we develop a shared sense of what high standards look like.
The environment illustrates to all what we value; we cannot separate our words from it.
“We show our children trust and they learn they can be trusted. We treat them with respect and get respectful behaviour in return. We put them in a beautiful place, give them a small taste of what a decent, dignified future might feel like, and that makes all the difference. The beauty we’ve designed into our centre isn’t window dressing; it’s an essential part of our success. It nourishes the spirit, and until you reach that part of the spirit that isn’t touched by cynicism or despair, no change can begin.”
Bill Strickland
