At Greystones Community College, through the process of school self evaluation and school improvement, the teachers are developing innovative practices in teaching and learning. The following initiatives are currently in place:
1. Feedback on Term Exams
"The key to learning is feedback - it is nearly impossible to learn anything without it" - Steven Levitt
Each term student's complete house exams in their core and option subjects. Each term test has a standard feedback sheet. These sheets form the basis of feedback for students to consider in each subject. These feedback sheets along with written reports give students and parents in-depth information as well as a chance to reflect on the process made. Teachers give students two stars (areas of achievement in the test) and a wish (an area they develop going forward). The feedback sheet encourages student self-reflection on what they are proud of and what they need to improve on.
2. Reflections on school reports
"We do not learn from experience... we learn from reflecting on experience" - John Dewey
At Greystones Community College, we place an emphasis on student reflection on progress as a medium of improvement. We focus on regular assessment, feedback and reporting to assist students with this process. Students will be issued with 4 written reports annually. These reports will be an evaluation of the students’ performance in each subject with a detailed personalised comment from each teacher and a grade to reflect their progress or test result. The school reports are intended to be a tool for reflection and improvement. All 3 partners in education (Students/Parents/Teachers) play an important role in this process. The teachers have spent assessing student performance and have provided detailed feedback. It is important that parents and students therefore spend time analysing the reports and setting goals for the future and therefore complete a parent and student reflection sheet to assist in setting goals.
3. Self Assessment & Success Criteria
"If you are not shown how to be successful, you cant be successful"
As part of GCC’s emphasis on effective feedback and self and peer assessment, a standard cover sheet is provided on tests and assignments to each student. As well as teachers providing detailed feedback on the areas of achievement and areas for development for students, students also self-assess their own work and peer assess one of their classmates. This allows students to have a greater understanding of the success criteria and facilitates better learning from seeing their peers’ successes and weaknesses.
4. Parent Teacher Student Meetings
"No school can work well if parents and teachers do not act in partnership on behalf of the child's best interests" - Dorothy Cohen
Once a year, a key meeting takes place to discuss the progress of each student with all of their different teachers. All 3 partners in education (Students/Parents/Teachers) play an important role in this process and the student attends with their parents/guardians. Goals are set for improvement and academic excellence and achievement is celebrated. During Covid-19, parent teacher student meetings take place online.