How do we best learn?

Classrooms of the future - you certainly have ideas about the physical space that would bring our classrooms into the 21st century.

What about who is in the classroom? And how the learning is organised?

Currently you are all taught with other students the same age, mostly in mixed ability groups, and led by teachers who are specialists in their subjects. You have a very clear timetable with lessons of mostly 50 minutes and then a bell that tells you it is time to stop learning. Is this the way that is has to be? Is this the best way to learn?

What about being taught with students from other year groups? Say that you were put into a group with students of the same ability in your subject, but who might be older, or younger, than you. You might be really good in Maths and studying for GCSE when you're 13 with 14 - 16 year olds, but not so good in English, therefore in a class with 11 - 13 year olds, improving your English.

What about having a more flexible timetable? Maybe on Fridays, rather than having a timetable, you would have a whole day dedicated to one subject. This would let you really develop your learning in that subject. The subject would change every Friday, and sometimes you would do a project which might be a combination of more than one subject e.g. Drama and History.

What about the way you learn? Some schools now give 'project-based' learning. This is similar to the work that Year 7 are doing in ILC this term where the whole work is based on answering one question. It can either be based on one subject, or again a combination of different subjects. These questions are often based on questions that you would have to answer if you were working in the real world.

Examples of different ways of organising our learning. Are any of these suitable for Brentford School for Girls?

Classroom of the future - what would your ideal classroom look like?

All classrooms are pretty much the same. They all have desks and chairs for about 30 students, possibly computers, with an interactive whiteboard at the front. The only different ones are subject specific rooms - Science, Technology, ICT. Classrooms are like this because that is how students have been taught for the last generation - teacher-led, taking notes.

Yes, things are changing. Yes, you do more group work, more research work, more active learning. But imagine how different things could be - if you had a different classroom.

There are real examples of 21st century learning within 21st century classrooms. Large, open spaces to hold 120 students; rooms where ICT is central but also allows for working with other students; breakout rooms where students can work in small groups; one room which has different areas, allowing for all sorts of different types of learning to happen; the learning that can happen in the corridor; the use of outside space.

Classrooms designed to change learning.

Imagine if you could design a classroom from scratch. What would it be like?

Building a new future for BSfG

BSF is coming to Brentford School for Girls. We have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to change the way Brentford School for Girls looks, the way the classrooms are, the outside space and the learning that goes on everywhere in the school.

We need you to be part of the discussion. What would you like BSfG to be like in 5 years time? How do you think girls learn best? What would you like to change in the classrooms? How do you think we can change the environment for the better?

Over the next few weeks, we will be asking you different questions. We need you to contribute to the discussion. Click on the comment button and post your opinions. Be part of the future of BSfG.