Retrieval & Recall

Retrieval & Recall

Retrieval requires pupils to bring previously learned knowledge back to mind rather than simply seeing or rereading it again. Teachers carefully select the knowledge pupils need to retrieve so that important concepts, vocabulary and procedures remain available for future learning.

Retrieval also gives teachers valuable information. It helps us identify what has been remembered, what is becoming secure, what has been forgotten and what needs teaching again. In this way, retrieval supports both memory and responsive teaching.

Across the school this can be seen through Smart Starts, Do Nows, low-stakes questioning, vocabulary recall, Maths Meetings, cumulative practice and purposeful revisiting.