Teachers at a Whitehaven school have been praised for honing their classroom skills by successfully completing cutting edge training with an acclaimed expert.

Five teachers at Hensingham Primary School went through a testing triple programme of training, including filming of lessons, self-reflection and instructional coaching.

The Osiris Teaching Intervention is designed to enable teachers to hone and level up their practice. Whilst the prospect of being filmed in lessons was daunting, teachers and students at the Cumbria Education Trust (CET) school threw themselves into the task.

Trainer Carmel Bones, who is a sought-after consultant working with schools nationally, said: “It was an absolute delight to work with the committed team at Hensingham who are so ambitious for their students. They have taken away principles and strategies around engaging and challenging learners of all ages, as well as techniques to build learner independence, self and peer feedback.

“The children took the process in their stride and were keen to embrace new ideas. The delegates noted the need to have high expectations for what the children can do, this leads to pacier lessons with children increasingly taking the lead.”

Year 1-2 teacher Mel Kirkbride said the ‘supportive, inspiring and motivational’ training had ‘ignited the passion and feelings of positivity’.

Year 5 teacher Rebecca Houghton said the programme helped improve the knowledge, attitudes, skills and habits of the children who ‘have a greater sense of ownership for their own learning’.

The impact of the training was shared at a celebration event hosted by Headteacher Faye Eldon and attended by CET’s Chief Executive Lorrayne Hughes.

Mrs Hughes re-emphasised that teachers make a difference to young people and how proud she was the staff at Hensingham had embraced all aspects of the challenge.

Chris Wilkins, Director of Primary Education, said: "They have used research to improve their practice, but more importantly, shown what they can achieve through supporting each other. This is at the heart of everything we do at Cumbria Education Trust. Our family of schools is committed to improving outcomes for all through collaboration.”