Innovation begins with sharing — and at LEH Foshan, this term’s Tweak of the Week truly embodied that principle. From tech-powered learning tools to student-led activities, our teachers introduced fresh ideas that energised their classrooms and inspired new approaches to teaching. But what exactly is Tweak of the Week, and why does it matter? In this article, discover how this initiative drives professional growth and explore some of the most impactful ideas that shaped our classrooms this term.
Tweak of the Week is a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) initiative led by our CPD Coordinator, Mr Paul Holt. Each week, two teachers from the whole school are chosen by Mr Holt to meet and discuss their most effective teaching techniques and classroom strategies. After refining these ideas together, they share them with colleagues school-wide, ensuring that everyone benefits from the collective wisdom of our teaching community.
Tweak of the Week plays a crucial role in enhancing teaching and learning at LEH Foshan. Here’s how it makes a difference:
Collaboration & Idea Sharing: Teachers from different subjects exchange practical tips, gaining fresh perspectives and strategies.
Reflective Practice: Discussing effective approaches helps teachers reflect on their methods and refine their techniques for greater classroom impact.
Best Practice Sharing: Successful ideas are shared school-wide, benefiting students across all subjects and year groups.
Professional Development: This in-house professional learning keeps teachers inspired, motivated, and committed to growth.
Innovative Teaching: With new tips every week, teaching remains dynamic, engaging, and student-focused.
Inspiring Classroom Practices
This term, Tweak of the Week brought innovative teaching strategies into the spotlight. Here are some standout ideas that inspired classrooms across LEH Foshan:
Engaging Participation
Head of Spanish, Mr Lechado, used Hey Spinner for random student selection, making participation fun and fair. Meanwhile, Prep Teacher Ms Wilkinson’s Call-and-Response techniques kept her class focused and engaged.
Active Learning
PE Teacher Mr Lomas’ interactive PE lessons turned students into “body parts” for hands-on learning, while Chinese Teacher Ms Wang’s Vocabulary Bingo made word recall fun and effective.
Innovative Tech for Learning
Headteacher Mrs Arden and Prep Teacher Mr Jones adapted complex reading materials using AI tools like ChatGPT, while Spanish Teacher Mr Burkle used Mentimeter to create live word clouds tracking student learning.
Encouraging Independent Learning
Head of Art and Design Faculty, Ms Hayward’s approach of student-set homework empowered learners to take responsibility for their own progress, while Deputy Head, Mr Banks’ use of Knowledge Organisers provided a clear framework for focused and effective exam preparation.
Mr Holt is impressed by the creativity of the ideas shared by staff:
This speaks volumes about the wonderful teachers we have at the school. It’s been fun to see the new ideas that come up each week, whether it’s a new online platform or AI, or a tried-and-tested "golden oldie" like "catch them being good!" I’m happy that people have embraced Tweak of the Week, and I feel it has helped bring us closer together as a teaching community. I’m super excited to see what will be shared next semester.
As we wrap up this term’s Tweak of the Week, we celebrate the creativity, collaboration, and commitment our teachers have shown toward professional growth. Looking ahead, Mr Holt shared exciting plans for the coming year:
We’ll kick off next term with our INSET day, where a major focus will be encouraging staff to experiment with AI for developing teaching resources. I’m really excited about this because it can not only save teachers time but also help them tailor materials to better meet their students’ needs.
Mr Holt also hinted at future plans for enhancing peer learning:
Next year, I’d like to explore ways we can learn from each other through lesson observations. I’m considering surveying staff to identify their teaching strengths, such as behaviour management or questioning techniques, and creating opportunities for teachers to visit each other’s lessons to develop these skills. The CPD committee and I are still working on the details, so watch this space!
With a continued focus on innovation, collaboration, and professional growth, we look forward to another year of dynamic teaching and enriched learning experiences at LEH Foshan!
