Using a holistic approach to better understand and support student learning
BC Academy is a British international school and nursery in Dubai with more than 700 students from Early Years through to Year 6. With a diverse international and Emirati community, the school brings together the best educational practices from around the world to provide a stimulating and academically enriching learning journey for all.
To ensure they were supporting every student to achieve their full potential, the team were looking for a programme of assessments that would provide a joined-up picture of the whole child. This would allow them to look at academic performance alongside cognitive ability, attitudes to learning and classroom engagement to inform teaching and learning at every level.
Key Outcomes
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Improved academic outcomes for all students
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Enhanced student wellbeing and improved engagement
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Increased confidence and self-belief
The solution:
The school implemented a range of Renaissance tools and assessments that allowed them to take an integrated, student-focused approach – creating a cycle of assessment, insight, action.
- Identifying potential
The Cognitive Abilities Test (CAT4) provides an understanding of students’ strengths and challenges that goes beyond attainment, helping to identify and nurture potential. - Uncovering learning barriers
The Pupil Attitudes to Self and School (PASS) measure detects attitudinal barriers to success early so that proactive support can be put in place. - Delivering data-informed teaching
Nearpod helps delivery of engaging interactive lessons, based on individual student needs.
Data-driven support
Teachers are now empowered with data that helps them to create actionable next steps.
CAT4 allows them to identify the individual talents of each of their students – removing any language barriers to establish learning preferences and where best to target academic support.
PASS plays a key role in strengthening student wellbeing initiatives and uncovers hidden barriers to progress – helping get to the root of any issues so the team can respond immediately.
Nearpod allows these insights to be turned into impactful classroom activities that cater to different learning biases in a personalised and engaging way. This has particularly benefitted the school’s EAL learners and helped in-class support for students of determination.
The impact
After taking this 360-degree view of the students, the team has seen a real impact. Data now underpins decision-making, informs planning and highlights key areas for intervention and support.
Teachers have seen increased engagement, improved confidence and tangible academic and pastoral improvements.
Top 3 takeaways
- Improved academic outcomes for all students: A holistic approach has allowed the school to personalise their teaching, learning and interventions across the cohorts.
- Enhanced student wellbeing and improved engagement: Focused programmes, informed by data and actionable next steps, have increased participation and a sense of belonging.
- Increased confidence and self-belief: Targeted support, guided by real-time insights, has improved student performance.
