VISITORS from Down Under were shown round Bradford schools to see how a new programme has improved behaviour and exam results.

The Australian teachers made the visit to Wibsey Primary School after it was given the “Gold Award” by Building Learning Power.

The visit was organised by TLO, the organisation behind the programme, which rewarded the school after an extensive assessment.

The four teachers from Norwest Christian College, Sydney, also visited Miriam Lord Primary to see for themselves what a difference the scheme makes.

Maryl Chambers, one of the founders of Building Learning Power, said: “Wibsey Primary is an intelligent and inspirational school. They are cleverly tapping into the best research and teaching their children how to become better learners. Surprisingly, that’s a rare skill for a school.

“The children are thriving on it, not just improving their results, but learning how to learn in ways that will last them for the rest of their lives.”

The report also says Wibsey Primary has linked with Miriam Lord Primary, the other BLP Gold Award school in Bradford.

Big changes have taken place in the classrooms of Wibsey, and there is now a much greater emphasis on pupils working collaboratively, especially when doing group work.

Classes have “Lead Learners” who assist other pupils. Each classroom also has a list of Stuck Prompts which pupils are expected to follow before asking assistance from a teacher, to encourage them to help themselves.

The school has BLP Mentors from Years 4, 5 and 6 who have to undergo a job interview to be appointed. At lunchtime, the BLP Mentors help other children at Play Stations so play is better co-ordinated.

In the last three years, BLP has made a significant difference to Key Stage 2 results for 7 and 11-year-olds. In 2016, the percentage of Key Stage 2 pupils reaching the expected standard across reading, writing and maths was above the national result by eight per cent.

In previous years this figure had been in line with the national figure. Increases were seen in maths where attainment was nine per cent above the national average and in grammar, punctuation and spelling where attainment was 16 per cent above the national average.

BLP has also raised the attainment of the younger pupils. At the end of Key Stage 1, the school’s attainment results have been in line with the national figures but in 2017, the attainment in Reading was seven per cent above the national, 11 per cent above in writing and six per cent above in maths

Assistant Headteacher Christina Atherton, who leads on Building Learning Power, said: “We implemented BLP three years ago. We heard how effective it was from Bryan Harrison, executive headteacher at Miriam Lord Primary School. Since then, it has made a significant difference to pupil behaviour, pupil confidence and exam results.”

Headteacher Nigel Cooper said: “Building Learning Power has enabled the whole school to change dramatically. Whereas, previously, our pupils were more “spoon fed” they have now become learners who can think and learn for themselves.”