The Teaching and Learning Community (TLC)

The Big Picture
Research shows that quality teaching is the most significant factor in student achievement and overall positive outcomes (Education Endowment Foundation, 2019). At The English School, the TLC was established to foster a supportive environment for developing, sharing, and practicing professional skills, ultimately improving the teaching and learning process across the school.

Our Goal
Our aim is to create a more fulfilling, effective, and meaningful learning experience for all students. We work to build a pupil-centered culture, promote professional collaboration, and encourage healthy reflection on teaching practices.

The Importance of Collaboration
Studies highlight that professional collaboration significantly impacts teaching quality, which directly enhances student learning. The TLC supports this through rigorous training, regular meetings, and departmental collaboration. Since its inception, the group has focused on training in active learning, formative assessment, and retrieval practice. For the 2024-2025 academic year, our focus will be on collaborative learning, with the TLC leading support for teachers in this area.

Commitment to Research
The TLC regularly reviews educational research to continuously improve the learning experience and adapt practices to meet each student’s needs.

TLC Members

• Chair: Popi Grouta, Deputy Head i/c of Curriculum 

• Members:

  1. Maria Constantinidou, History Teacher 
  2. Christina Ioakimidou, Head of Greek 
  3. Christina Papadopoulos, English Teacher 
  4. Christos Symeonides, Physics Teacher 
  5. Chrysoulla Constantinou, Spanish Teacher 
  6. Evanthia Polyviou, Greek Teacher, HoY 6/7, DDSL
  7. Leonie Hadjithoma, Music Teacher, HoY in Lower School, Erasmus+ Coordinator, PSHCE Coordinator, SEN 
  8. Stavroula Neokleous, SLT i/c of Digital Literacy 
  9. Marilena Neocleous, Assistant Head of Greek
  10. Stalo Achilleos, Spanish/French Teacher, HoY6/7
  11. Sylvana Jamgochian, Head of History 
  12. Vanessa Crambert, Head of Modern Languages 

• Administrator: Ms. Elena Michaelides 

Achievements and Focus Areas

Training for Effective Teaching
Over the past four years, the TLC has conducted extensive training sessions on:

• Active Learning (2020-2021): Understanding active learning techniques and growth mindset principles.
• Formative Assessment (2022-2023): Embedding formative assessment strategies for responsive teaching and student engagement.
• Retrieval Practice (2023-2024): Using spaced and interleaved review to support long-term learning.

2024-2025 Focus: Collaborative Learning
The upcoming year’s training will focus on collaborative learning techniques. Session objectives include:

• Reviewing the role of collaborative learning in the updated curriculum.
• Reflecting on current practices.
• Exploring effective group work and collaborative learning approaches.

Student Training on Study Skills and Growth Mindset
TLC-led sessions focus on instilling a growth mindset and effective study techniques in students, now a part of the PSHCE program in Lower School.

Parent Workshops
Workshops for Lower School parents cover growth mindset, study skills, the importance of homework, and ways to support children’s mental and physical wellbeing.

New Teacher Coaching
New teachers receive coaching based on the GROW model (Goal, Reality, Obstacles/Options, Way Forward), alongside subject-specific mentoring.