Collaboration at KIS

At KIS we believe that collaboration between staff at all levels of the school organization is fundamental to the success of the students, and indeed the school. As a professional learning community it is essential that regular discussion and dialogue take place to provide professional support, an avenue for constructive feedback, and opportunities for peer mentoring with a view to all areas of teaching and learning and to move the programme forward to the next level of its development. As a school that implements and believes in team teaching, promotes and schedules collaborative planning opportunities, and supports discussion between all parties within the school, we have already ensured that collaboration is well established in the key values of the school.

Collaborative meetings are scheduled between year group teams, specialists and administrators on a regular basis to plan, reflect and share ideas to further enhance the programme and student learning

Collaboration in the Primary School

Collaboration in the Primary School is essential to the learning process. Teachers collaborate at all stages of the learning cycle, in planning, implementing the programme and assessing students.

KIS practices team teaching at all grade levels throughout the primary school; this approach to teaching and learning provides an ideal opportunity and environment for teachers to work together collaboratively. Team teaching is viewed as an opportunity to work alongside other teaching professionals to provide an environment where teaching and learning can thrive, team members are viewed as equal partners in the programme. In an effort to model best practices, teams work in partnership to support each other and focus on further developing and improving planning, teaching and assessment strategies. The facilities were specifically designed with team teaching in mind, providing an environment that is conducive to an integrated day, group teaching strategies, and the PYP. Each open plan classroom is purpose-built to accommodate a two or three class entry, staffed by a team of teachers including the homeroom teachers, a teaching assistant, EAL support staff and specialists. Team teaching in this type of environment provides students with a classroom setting that encourages independence, provides support, and promotes partnerships in learning.