Page 4 - Teaching and Learning Policy 2026

Green Gates’ 6 Principles of Effective Teaching and Learning

At Green Gates, we have decided on 6 core pedagogical principles which are the essential
components to effective teaching and learning. The six principles are outlined here, alongside

reasons why each are vital for pupils at Green Gates.

Routines are the bedrock of a positive classroom management

Consistent Routines environment. If routines are embedded, this reduces pressure on
children’s cognitive load so that they can focus on learning.
Climate for
Learning Warm, respectful relationships create safety: pupils are more
Positive Relationships willing to try, answer, and persist when they feel supported.
Strong adult–pupil relationships improve behaviour, attendance
and engagement.

Expecting ambitious outcomes for all pupils raises standards.
High Expectations Pupils and parents have low aspirations within school which
need challenging.

A calm environment supports concentration and are easier for
Calm, orderly adults and pupils to predict and manage, thus reducing wasted
environment
learning time.

Pupils are expected to participate fully in all aspects of
Active Participation learning. Visible engagement gives teachers quick, formative
evidence of understanding to help inform teaching.
Effective

Instruction Teachers are the experts within their classrooms. To help pupils

Direct Instruction learn, teachers explicitly demonstrate how to achieve a learning
objective. Clear, focused explanations, using clear language and
essential information only, reduce cognitive overload.

New learning should be broken down into manageable steps. Give
Sequencing in Small pupils the chance to practise each step one by one before
steps
attempting to practise the whole sequence.

Teachers walk through a learning process themselves, showing
pupils how to do key things, highlighting key procedures and any
Metacognitive Talk
thinking that underpins them. With the teacher as the expert,
pupils get to see the thought processes behind learning.