We are a small-class state school located in a village north of Děčín, Czech Republic.
Currently, there are 57 pupils and 5 teachers in our school, including the school principal. Our school is characterized by a family climate, an individual approach, small number of pupils, and also combining multiple grades in one class. We consider these characteristics as a great benefit. Our pupils have the opportunity to learn from each other within peer learning. Teachers are motivated to apply the tools of differentiation and individualization. The basic philosophy of our school is to create a pleasant and safe place where a sense of security and trust can be fulfilled and where internal motivation and relationships play a key role in education. To oneself as to others.
We are interested in what kind of person our pupils will grow into, not just what they will know and be able to do. Developing essential skills has always been and will be part of our school’s key work. The Skills Builder methodology brings us a comprehensive system of personal development, sequenced into individual steps, together with self-assessment tools that we can rely on.
When evaluating progress, teachers are free to choose the appropriate method and assessment approach. Some use formative assessment, peer assessment, self-assessment – using stickers with logos of essential skills. Pupils stick it in their workbooks, student books, portfolios or they make special posters. Pupils receive an assessment letter four times during the school year.
During regular teachers’ meetings, which are set every month, one skill is determined to focus on. Every teacher then prepares a development plan for the given step, which can be applied on the Skills Builder methodology. They determine the level at which the students are, and accordingly choose methods and forms of work to practice the given skill. Certainly, the teacher responds to current events in the classroom and practices the skills that are required.
Our pupils have ample opportunities to develop and apply essential skills outside of school during daily life such as project and thematic teaching, visits to theaters, museums and other cultural institutions, sports events, knowledge competitions, etc. We introduced the Skills Builder methodology and the Schola Empirica organization to the parents of our pupils so that they could get an idea of how we work with the methodology and so that they could actively help us.
