Tudor Grange Academy joins nationwide network of Futurelab Hub schools to transform teaching and learning

Tudor Grange Academy in Solihull, judged by Ofsted to be Outstanding, is the latest high achiever to join a new and rapidly growing network of innovative best practice schools launched by the internationally-renowned education charity, Futurelab. End Quote

(1888PressRelease) May 27, 2011 - As a Futurelab Hub (http://futurelab.org.uk/search/results/futurelab%20hub ), Tudor Grange will stand at the forefront of educational innovation, working closely with Futurelab to drive up standards and transform teaching and learning locally and regionally through the use of enquiry-based learning linked to curriculum development and leading-edge technology.

Boasting a top three position in the national school league tables for three years running, Tudor Grange is dedicated to "Inspiring Excellence". Its primary target as a school is to prepare pupils to become 'active contributors to today's technologically mature society' - providing them with the high level skills, qualifications and attitudes to compete effectively as adults in the commercial world.
"Tudor Grange Academy is working with Futurelab to accurately define the 'language of learning' and the specific skills every pupil will require to work in the future. Activity will be focused on enquiry-based learning, where the pupil takes responsibility for their own progress based on enquiry", said Assistant Principal and College Leader, Dave Butler. "Adults in the work environment learn through enquiry and are accountable for their own development - it's important that pupils learn the same skills before they leave school, supported in their pursuit of knowledge by the teacher and the teacher's knowledge and understanding of the curriculum. It's a truly empowering way to learn.

"We will be defining a range of essential generic skills that underpin every aspect of life - for example, ICT skills, communication skills and research and enquiry. These skills will form the bedrock of their learning and permeate all subject areas be it English, Maths, Science or Languages. We will also be implementing a more flexible curriculum, collapsing some of the set curriculum time and replacing it with whole school skills enrichment sessions, where pupils from different year groups will learn alongside one another.

"Workshops will be used to disseminate knowledge and best practice to other schools within the authority, including our feeder primaries and partner school in Tudor Grange Academy Worcester. We have ambitious plans. Having disseminated our knowledge and best practice regionally, we intend to reach out and embrace schools nationally and then internationally - we have our targets set high.

"We also plan to work with Futurelab on a new interactive online learning space, a major step on from a standard learning platform. This will allow pupils to set up chat groups, share work and share research as well as communicate with tutors, peers and parents, all within a safe and secure environment. These are exciting times. We are looking forward to taking learning for our pupils and other partners within the local area to a new level", he concluded.

Commenting on Tudor Grange, Gareth Wynne, Associate Director at Futurelab, said: "Tudor Grange Academy has very high expectations for its students and the senior leadership team is united in its commitment to making the learning environment and curriculum even more stimulating and engaging. We are delighted to be collaborating with them on this exciting journey."

For further information about the Futurelab Hubs, please contact Gareth Wynne, Associate Director at Futurelab on gareth.wynne ( @ ) futurelab dot org.uk.

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