Teaching and Learning

At Chadwell Heath Academy, we are committed to ensuring that every student experiences exceptional teaching, develops a love of learning and achieves their full potential. Our approach is underpinned by our school priorities of No Child Left Behind, Consistency in Achieving Excellence and Personal Growth and Positive Futures. Every aspect of our Teaching and Learning strategy is designed to ensure that students are challenged, supported and inspired to succeed.

Meet the Team

Mr R Poddington – Headteacher
Ms K O'Sullivan – Assistant Headteacher: Teaching & Learning, Professional Development, Admissions, Induction Tutor, Vocational Co-ordinator, Line Manager for Literacy and Pupil Premium Strategy
Mrs I Ali – Lead Practitioner: Teaching & Learning
Miss F Rayit – Literacy Coordinator
Mr M Green – SENDCo
Mrs L Roberts – SENDCo

Nationally Recognised Practice: Embedding Formative Assessment

At Chadwell Heath Academy, we are proud to be recognised as an SSAT Embedding Formative Assessment Ambassador School, reflecting our commitment to evidence-informed teaching and continuous improvement.

Our journey through the SSAT Embedding Formative Assessment programme has transformed classroom practice across the academy. Through high-quality professional development, collaboration and a shared commitment to excellence, formative assessment has become a cornerstone of teaching and learning in every subject.

Drawing on the research of internationally renowned educationalist Dylan Wiliam, teachers use formative assessment strategies throughout lessons to identify misconceptions, check understanding, adapt teaching and provide meaningful feedback. This enables students to make strong progress whilst developing confidence and independence as learners.

Being recognised as an Ambassador School places Chadwell Heath Academy amongst a select group of schools championing outstanding classroom practice nationally. We are incredibly proud of the dedication of our staff and the positive impact this work continues to have on students every day.

Talk for Learning and Oracy

We believe that students learn best when they actively think, discuss, debate and challenge ideas.

Our Talk for Learning approach places purposeful classroom talk at the heart of learning. Students are encouraged to articulate their thinking, explain their reasoning, use subject-specific vocabulary and build upon the ideas of others. Through carefully planned discussion, questioning and challenge, students deepen their understanding and develop confidence as communicators.

Oracy is embedded across the curriculum and plays a crucial role in supporting literacy, critical thinking and academic achievement. By learning to speak confidently and listen effectively, students are better prepared for future education, employment and life beyond school.

Adaptive Teaching and the Graduated Approach

At Chadwell Heath Academy, we believe that every student should have access to an ambitious curriculum and experience success.

Teachers use adaptive teaching strategies to remove barriers to learning whilst maintaining high expectations for all. Our practice is closely aligned with the graduated approach, ensuring that staff assess need, implement support, review impact and adapt provision where necessary.

This inclusive approach enables all learners, including those with SEND, EAL and other additional needs, to participate fully in lessons and achieve their potential. Through high-quality teaching, effective scaffolding and carefully considered support, we ensure that no child is left behind.

Literacy Across the Curriculum

We believe that every teacher is a teacher of literacy.

Our literacy strategy is built on evidence-informed practice and recognises that strong literacy skills are essential for success in every subject. We have adopted a disciplinary literacy approach, helping students understand how reading, writing, vocabulary and communication support learning across different subjects.

Key features of our literacy provision include:

Explicit teaching of Tier 2 and Tier 3 vocabulary
Dedicated literacy lessons in Key Stage 3
Reading and guided reading opportunities
Whole-school DEAR (Drop Everything and Read)
Structured opportunities for speaking and listening
Literacy intervention programmes for students requiring additional support
Reading age assessments and targeted support
Vocabulary-rich classrooms and curriculum resources

By prioritising literacy across the curriculum, we ensure that students are equipped with the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to access increasingly complex texts, communicate effectively and achieve success in all subjects.

Teaching and Learning Student Leaders

Student voice is an important part of Teaching and Learning at Chadwell Heath Academy.

Our Teaching and Learning Student Leaders work closely with staff to provide feedback on learning experiences, contribute ideas for improvement and help shape future developments across the academy.

As part of this work, the students have produced a range of Teaching and Learning videos featured throughout our website. Planned, written and presented by students, these videos provide an authentic insight into learning at Chadwell Heath Academy and ensure that young people have a genuine voice in the development of teaching and learning across the school.

Their work demonstrates our commitment to meaningful student leadership and reinforces our belief that the best schools are built through partnership between students and staff.

Continuous Improvement

Teaching and learning at Chadwell Heath Academy continues to evolve through collaboration, professional learning and evidence-informed practice. Through nationally recognised formative assessment, purposeful classroom talk, adaptive teaching, high-quality literacy provision and meaningful student leadership, we are committed to ensuring that every student achieves excellence and is prepared for a successful future.

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