Mo is currently the Curriculum Theme Manager at Shireland Collegiate Academy in Sandwell. He has been interested in thematic learning since his early days teaching in a Birmingham primary school. While teaching Year 6, he refused to restrict the curriculum for the benefit of SATs. By applying a thematic approach, he was able to raise standards in Literacy and Numeracy while maintaining breadth in the KS2 curriculum. His current post involves guiding his Year 7 class through Shireland's unique Literacy 4 Life curriculum. A competency-based thematic approach to KS3. Mo is also a firm advocate of technology for the acceleration and deepening of learning.
How best to capture a student’s interest? Mo Yafai, Shireland Collegiate Academy’s Curriculum Theme Manager, considers themes to be a great way of encouraging curiosity and enjoyment in the classroom.
Themes are contextually diverse vehicles for learning. They provide meaningful contexts in which students have the opportunity to achieve proficiency in a range of competencies. Each theme gives students the opportunities to acquire the skills needed to be successful at Key Stage 4 and promotes social responsibility as well as personal reflection and growth.
To ask what makes an excellent theme, is to ask what are the conditions for excellent learning. The core learning and teaching principles that underpin an excellent theme are as follows:
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