In 2005, DCELLS set up and funded a programme for developing thinking and assessment for learning working in partnership with school clusters and Local Authority (LA) advisers. The programme focused on the development, implementation and dissemination of good practice in the teaching of developing thinking and assessment for learning strategies.

The main aims of the programme were to:

• improve pupil performance

• increase engagement with learning

• change classroom practice, thereby improving pedagogy

• increase the frequency of creative lessons.

Nine LAs plus a group of special schools were selected to take part in the programme. Over a three year period, we worked with LA advisers and teachers within schools to select suitable strategies for use in individual schools, and monitor and evaluate progress.

In January 2009, following an external evaluation of the pilot, DCELLS invited all local authorities to be part of a match-funded grant to extend the programme across Wales. Each local authority (LA) was asked to nominate 50 lead teachers and work in partnership with DCELLS to coach and mentor these in the first year. The programme is currently in its second year.

The extension is based on the tri-level partnership approach of the pilot. It involves lead teachers from the local authorities (LAs) being coached by LA advisers and mentored by DCELLS officers, within professional learning communities.

Further details can be found at:

NGfL Cymru
http://www.ngfl-cymru.org.uk/dtaafl/

Welsh Assembly Government
http://wales.gov.uk/topics/educationandskills/schoolshome/
curriculuminwales/thinkingandassessmentforlearning/?lang=en