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the alps training course

This course is based on the book The ALPsApproach, Accelerated Learning in Primary Schools, by Alistair Smith and Nicola Call.

The course provides delegates with practical techniques that can be applied in the classroom straight away. The day is packed with easy to implement content, including:

	How to ensure children are in the right physical state to learn
	What you can do to start each lesson positively and effectively
	How to set up the classroom to maximise learning opportunities
	Why it is essential to create a safe, positive learning environment, and how this can be achieved
	How to discover pupils' individual learning preferences, and how to use this information to improve their performance and understanding
	Which questioning strategies to use for meaningful class interaction

The course is divided into 3 days, each of which focuses on an essential element of the Accelerated Learning cycle:

Day 1: Creating the conditions for learning

…the supportive learning environment

Day 2: Accelerating learning in your classroom

…making learning stick

Day 3: Creating independent learners

…equipping children to manage their own learning

The course is customised to the needs of primary teachers, who learn practical tools that are presented in a compelling and memorable way. The teaching points of each day are illustrated using real case histories and interactive participation. There is built-in time for discussion and action planning.

Day 1 : Creating the conditions for learning

During the day you will discover

	How to apply your understanding of physiology to make your pupils better learners
	Seven ways to improve the use of physical space in the classroom
	Why your knowledge of psychology can significantly improve the performance of your class
	How you can use language to improve pupil behaviour
	Easy ways to make marking quicker and more effective
	The best ways to give constructive and effective feedback

You will benefit by

	Accessing real case studies of success
	Receiving resources you can use straight away in your classroom
	Leaving with at least 70 easy to implement classroom strategies

Day 2: Accelerating learning in your classroom

During the day you will discover

	How to operate the accelerated learning cycle to ensure that every child gains maximum benefit from your lessons
	The best ways to structure time on task
	The latest research on music, movement and learning, and how it can improve the performance of your class
	How to input information so it sticks
	Six easy steps for trialling these ideas in your own classroom

You will benefit by

	Receiving the most up to date case studies, resources and strategies from around the UK
	Being given support in planning to use the ideas in your classroom
	Having the opportunity, if you wish, to continue your learning on-line

Day 3: Creating independent learners

During the day you will discover

	The results of action research projects from around the UK, and how you can apply them for your own success
	How to improve children's memory
	Why the homework strategy is so effective, and how you can help children learn more effectively at home
	Twenty ways to improve performance in public examinations
	How to apply a 'learning to learn' programme for children including the brain builder questionnaire

You will benefit by

	Having a safe space in which to share your findings from your own action research project
	Finding out about real research with children from your school and others like it
	Receiving resources for improving homework, independent learning and exam performance
	Being given a 'learn to learn' programme for your children

Course availability

Schools gain the greatest benefit from the Alps Approach course when all staff attend the three day programme. However, we recognise that it is not always possible for every member of staff to attend each day. Therefore we have designed each day to stand alone so that individuals who miss a day will still understand and enjoy the content, and be able to make positive changes when they return to school.

We recommend that each day is run separately to give teachers time to put their new learning into practice before attending subsequent days.

To help teachers to apply the techniques as soon as they return to the classroom, they receive a pack of resources including brain break activities, posters, and specially-designed ALPs™ tools. These have been tried and tested in classrooms, and proven to work. Participants also come away with a full set of course documentation, which serves as a reference source as they apply the techniques in their own classroom.

Participants leave the course full of enthusiasm for these techniques, and also fully equipped to put them straight into practice in the classroom.

If you would like to learn more about The ALPs Approach course, please contact the Alite office on 01628 810700, or email hilary@alite.co.uk

Read more about the consultants who work on this programme:

Sarah Mook Nick Austin Pauline Foster

Bruce Potts Anne Copley Graeme Logan