EDUCATION SPOTLIGHT
E very person is an individual vibrant and exciting. Those of us involved in education are particularly fortunate because we work with a range of young people who bring different thoughts and ideas to our classrooms on a regular basis. We have moved on from the rote learning approach of the past, where everyone learned and revised in the same way. Today, teachers recognise that varied approaches benefit different students, which can make the learning environment stimulating. Teachers aim to tailor each lesson to each student’s individual needs. We are very lucky at MPW that, because of our size, we can do this relatively easily. We’re a small college where everyone can know everyone else. Every student has a personal tutor who knows them well and can work with them, setting personal goals, providing feedback and working with their teachers to ensure the pace of learning is as it should be for each individual. We allow students to choose any with their own likes, dislikes, abilities and difficulties, which is what makes a community both combination of subjects they wish to study, recognising that individual choice is key to success. We are also fortunate that we can limit the number of students in both our GCSE and A-level classes to nine, ensuring that every student has a voice in class and can benefit from the close attention of their teacher. This means students are not vying for attention in a large group, while it also benefits those who struggle with a busy or loud environment. Recognising and valuing a student’s background helps make their learning more inclusive and gives it more meaning. Students studying A-level English are asked to produce coursework on a text of their choice. Paula, from Nigeria, chose to write on Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s Half of a Yellow Sun because she wanted to explore the history of her country and understand what her family had lived through, while studying the poetry of Dante gave Charlie a deeper understanding of how poetry has evolved as a literary genre over the years, influencing both art and literature. Students are sometimes drawn to a particular area of study because of personal experiences. Naomi was involved in a serious accident before joining MPW, which necessitated a number of significant operations. This motivated her to work with those who face structural barriers in life, supporting them to help break down those obstacles. She wanted to prove that
TOWARDS A TAILORED EDUCATION Small class sizes and an individual-centred approach create a successful education environment, says Ann Meisner at MPW sixth form college in Cambridge
TOP MARKS MPW is rated ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted in all areas, reflecting its high standards
one can achieve regardless of the challenge, and has done so both through her charity work and academic progress, winning many national academic competitions and being awarded a place at a top UK university. She stood out from the crowd: she was an individual and they recognised this in her. MPW Cambridge is one of the country’s best- known providers of bespoke fifth and sixth form education, with GCSEs and A-levels in more than 45 subjects. Call 01223 350158 or email cambridge@mpw.ac.uk
We allow students to choose any combination of subjects , recognising that individual choice is key to success
CAMBSEDITION.CO.UK MARCH 2025 67
Powered by FlippingBook