Typically, pupils from ethnic minority backgrounds have English as a second language and those who receive free school meals are disadvantaged economically and do less well academically.
Schools across the UK want to help increase learning engagement within the classroom. Whilst most of their pupils on the whole are doing well academically, schools have recognised that:
- Some pupils are not stretched. They are learning but their attitude is passive. Schools want them to take responsibility for being the best they can be.
- Many pupils join the school at unusual times in the year and struggle to get 'up to speed' in the classroom and fail to reach their full potential.
- Pupils can have low expectations of their abilities. This holds them back from trying at times.
However, the question the schools keep asking themselves is "how do we create a hunger and curiosity to make the most of their brilliant minds?"
Schools have worked very hard over the last few years to improve the quality of their teaching to give pupils access to the best possible learning chances in spite of their backgrounds or circumstances at home. However, they are missing a piece of the puzzle in getting the pupils wanting to maximise their own chances - not just whilst they are in the school but for years to come in all of the education opportunities they may access in the future.
I believe that if we can present children with a new attitude towards learning, we can cultivate a whole new culture towards life long learning in these children. As a result of better engagement with learning, children will not just increase their academic performance, they will set better examples to their siblings and others in the school.
The main aim is not promote to children that learning is all about memorising information. In fact, it's about being able to focus/concentrate your mind whilst being taught. Essentially, we need to make learning easier for children and even magical and fun at times!
There is a wide range of NLP activities and NLP techniques that can be used through one-to-one sessions with pupils or small group workshops which will ultimately enhance a young person's confidence, self-esteem, motivation to do better and achieve better mental health. In addition, children will become better communicators which will have a positive effect on their relationship with others.
By developing 'ways to learn', the pupils expectations of themselves will increase and their level of engagement will too.