Foundation Studies Guide

Principles of the foundation subjects strand

The strand's principles for teaching and learning are consistent with those informing the rest of the strategy and are summarised in the table below.

The Principle	The Action
Focus the teaching	Plan to objectives
Provide challenge	Set expectations and teach to them so that pupils surpass previous levels of achievement
Make explicit concepts and conventions	Use questioning, explaining, modelling
Structure the learning	Use starters, plenaries and a clear lesson structure
Make learning active	Provide tasks in which pupils make meaning, construct knowledge and develop understanding and skills through problem-solving, investigation and enquiry
Make learning engaging and motivating	Use stimulating activities and materials
Develop well-paced lessons with high levels of interaction	Use collaborative tasks and talk for learning
Support pupils' application and independent work	Use prompts, frames and scaffolds
Build reflection	Teach pupils to think about what and how they learn

How will the foundation subjects strand work?

The foundation subjects strand will provide high quality training and support for teachers to help them improve the quality of teaching and learning in classrooms.

At present schools identify two departments to work with a senior manager to develop foundation subjects work. They carry out an audit of their departments to bring out strengths and areas for improvement. They then produce action plans focusing on the areas for development and, with the aid of a range of support, introduce new strategies which enhance learning.

The trialling and development work done by foundation subjects departments is supported in a number of ways

• Training Modules
  There are 14 training modules covering aspects of teaching and learning such as questioning, assessment for learning and teaching thinking. Departments are able to select training modules appropriate to their identified needs. There is guidance about management of the process and building capacity to support successful innovation.
• School Based Team
  Schools in the Key Stage 3 National Pilot have created teams of teachers usually from two departments working with a senior manager. This provides a forum for mutual support and challenge.
• External Consultancy
  Foundation subjects consultants working in LEAs will work with schools to support the audit and action planning process. They also work in schools to support changes in classroom practice as well as providing school and LEA-based training.

Foundation subjects departments will share their experience of developments and the good practice they have generated as a result. There will also be opportunities for the development of networks across the LEA to facilitate the sharing of good practice more widely.

FS or TLF?

The strand is the foundation subjects strand and that is the title it will generally be known by.

However the strand is focused upon the development of Teaching and Learning in the foundation subjects (TLF) so that acronym may well also be used at times, as it was during the pilot.