Pupil Engagement & Development
At Harper Bell, we believe that great learning happens when every child is actively engaged. Informed by the research and practice of Doug Lemov, author of Teach Like a Champion, our engagement strategies are designed to maximise student participation, cognitive load, and accountability in every lesson. These approaches ensure that learning is inclusive, purposeful, and ambitious for all.
High‑Ratio Classrooms:
We strive to create high‑ratio classrooms where all pupils are thinking, responding, and contributing, rather than a few confident voices dominating discussion. Our teachers use clear, specific and actionable techniques to ensure that every child is involved and challenged throughout the lesson.
Key Engagement Techniques:
Across the school, you will see the following core strategies used consistently:
- Cold Call - Teachers invite responses from pupils regardless of whether hands are raised. This ensures that all children remain attentive and prepared to contribute at any point.
- No Opt Out - Every child is supported to give an answer. If a pupil initially struggles, they are guided, supported, and revisited so that success is achieved.
- Everybody Writes - Before discussion, all pupils are given time to think and write. This deepens understanding, supports memory, and ensures that every voice is ready to be heard.
- Stretch It: When a student gives a correct answer, the teacher asks follow-up questions to push for deeper thinking, application, or nuance.
- Show Me: Requiring students to hold up whiteboards or work to immediately check for understanding.
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Agree. Build. Challenge
These techniques place thinking at the centre of the lesson and ensure that engagement is not optional but expected.
Expectations and Values
We expect the very best from our children. In lessons, pupils are expected to demonstrate The HB Way and show their STARS, ensuring they uphold our core values of Love, Learning, and Laughter. High engagement goes hand in hand with positive behaviour, respect for others, and pride in learning.
Through consistent use of these engagement strategies, we aim to foster confident, independent learners who are challenged, supported, and motivated to succeed every day.
Character Development - The Mountain of Excellence
At Harper Bell, we are committed to developing pupils' character alongside academic excellence through our Mountain of Excellence. This framework focuses on key values and learner skills that help children grow into confident, resilient, and reflective individuals. Pupils are recognised and rewarded during our Praise Assembly every Friday, where effort, attitude, and personal growth are celebrated.
Our approach is underpinned by cognitive science, explicitly applying principles of metacognition and self‑regulation (EEF, 2018). Teachers model their thinking aloud, support pupils to plan, monitor, and evaluate their learning, and use structured reflection to build self‑awareness, perseverance, and resilience. By helping pupils understand how they learn, as well as what they learn, we enhance both character development and academic outcomes.
Through consistent use of these strategies, we aim to foster confident, independent learners who are challenged, supported, and motivated to succeed every day.
