This course is based on the book The ALPs™ Approach, Accelerated Learning in Primary Schools, by Alistair Smith and Nicola Call.

The course provides delegates with practical techniques that can be applied in the classroom straight away. The days are packed with easy to implement content, including:

• How to ensure children are in the right physical state to learn
• What you can do to start each lesson positively and effectively
• How to set up the classroom to maximise learning opportunities
• Why it is essential to create a safe, positive learning environment, and how this can be achieved
• How to discover pupils' individual learning preferences, and how to use this information to improve their performance and understanding
• Which questioning strategies to use for meaningful class interaction

The ALPS* Approach Course is a dynamic, practical training course in which participants have an opportunity to "earth" Accelerated Learning principles in the context of their own class and school situation.

The course is customised to the needs of primary teachers who learn practical tools that are presented in a compelling and memorable way. The teaching points of each day are illustrated using real case histories and interactive participation. There is built-in time for discussion and action planning.

Day One Creating the conditions for learning

During the day you will discover

• How to apply your understanding of physiology to make your pupils better learners
• Seven ways to improve the use of physical space in the classroom
• Why your knowledge of psychology can significantly improve the performance of your class
• How you can use language to improve pupil behaviour
• Easy ways to make marking quicker and more effective
• The best ways to give constructive and effective feedback

You will benefit by

• Accessing real case studies of success
• Receiving resources you can use straight away in your classroom
• Leaving with at least 70 easy to implement classroom strategies

Day Two Accelerating learning in your classroom

During the day you will discover

• How to operate the accelerated learning cycle to ensure that every child gains maximum benefit from your lessons
• The best ways to structure time on task
• The latest research on music, movement and learning, and how it can improve the performance of your class
• How to input information so it sticks
• Six easy steps for trialling these ideas in your own classroom

You will benefit by

• Receiving the most up to date case studies, resources and strategies from around the UK
• Being given support in planning to use the ideas in your classroom
• Having the opportunity, if you wish, to continue your learning on-line

Day Three Creating independent learners

During the day you will discover

• The results of action research projects from around the UK, and how you can apply them for your own success
• How to improve children's memory
• Why the homework strategy is so effective, and how you can help children learn more effectively at home
• Twenty ways to improve performance in public examinations
• How to apply a 'learning to learn' programme for children including the brain builder questionnaire

You will benefit by

• Having a safe space in which to share your findings from your own action research project
• Finding out about real research with children from your school and others like it
• Receiving resources for improving homework, independent learning and exam performance
• Being given a learn to learn programme for your children

Course availability

Schools gain the greatest benefit from the Alps Approach course when all staff attend the three day programme. However, we recognise that it is not always possible for every member of staff to attend each day. Therefore we have designed each day to stand alone so that individuals who miss a day will still understand and enjoy the content, and be able to make positive changes when they return to school.

We recommend that each day is run separately to give teachers time to put their new learning into practice before attending subsequent days.

To help teachers to apply the techniques as soon as they return to the classroom, they receive a pack of resources including 'Brain Break' activities, posters, and specially-designed ALPs™ tools. These have been tried and tested in classrooms, and proven to work. Participants also come away with a full set of course documentation, which serves as a reference source as they apply the techniques in their own classroom.

Participants leave the course full of enthusiasm for these techniques, and also fully equipped to put them straight into practice in the classroom.

If you would like to learn more about The ALPs™ Approach course, please contact the Alite office on 01628 810700, or email hilary@alite.co.uk

Read more about the consultants who work on this programme:
Sarah Mook | Nick Austin | Pauline Foster | Bruce Potts | Anne Copley | Graeme Logan |
 

The course is divided into 3 days, each of which focuses on an essential element of the Accelerated Learning cycle:

Day 1:
Creating the conditions for learning
…the supportive learning environment

Day 2:
Accelerating learning in your classroom
…making learning stick

Day 3:
Creating independent learners
…equipping children to manage their own learning