PLP Personal Learning Plans

Children to Plan their own Learning

Education Minister Peter Peacock commends Scottish Borders schools for Personal Learning Plans

School children in the Borders will be able to help plan and develop their own learning programmes under a new scheme being unveiled in the area this week.
In a revolutionary approach which could spell the demise of the end-of-term report system, each pupil will help develop his or her own Personal Learning Plans (PLPs), assessing personal strengths, weaknesses and preferences, and establishing individual learning goals appropriate to their level and qualities.
By giving children more say in their education, PLPs improve pupils' self esteem and sense of involvement in their futures. The belief is that this will create better balanced adults, capable of meeting personal targets and managing their lives with confidence.
Parents and carers are also being encouraged to help pupils and teachers establish the content of PLPs, giving a holistic approach to a child's education involving close co-operation between school and home.
Scottish Borders Council are making progress in the implementation of Personal Learning Planning.
Education today is about more than learning facts and formulae. It is about teaching our children how to learn, setting personal targets, recognising and monitoring progress. It is also about challenge and support, identifying ambitions, securing independence and building self esteem. PLPs provide an excellent start to such a system. They are a way of involving and motivating learners, and support discussions with parents and carers.
Scottish Borders Council's approach will help deliver Peter Peacock's vision of a Scotland where every young person receives the best education possible.
In the Borders, PLPs have already been piloted at Burnfoot Community School, Hawick.
Parents of children at Burnfoot are agreed on the advantages of the scheme. The children can write their achievements and the report is not hidden from them.

Preparation for introducing PLPs

Across the Borders preparation is now well underway, with teacher training taking place this year. Schools in

Galashiels, Jedburgh, Berwickshire and Earlston will start using PLPs in academic year 2004-5
Peebles, Selkirk and Kelso will introduce them in 2005-6.
All pupils in the Borders, both primary and secondary, will be developing their own PLPs by 2007.

For secondary pupils, PLPs in the Borders are a closely linked to the innovative work being undertaken by Scottish Borders Council on its Creative Learning Project. This project trains teachers to provide strategies that recognise and utilise 'Emotional Intelligence' through new classroom management styles, including interactive teaching and formative assessment.

Summary:

The key objectives of Personal Learning Planning are to

raise attainment
focus support especially to the lowest 20% of achievers, including looked-after children
increase inclusion
personally engage pupils in thinking about and taking responsibility for their own learning
improve communication between all stakeholders - pupils, teachers, parents and carers, so that all pupils are supported in their learning.

Personal Learning Plans will

Belong to the pupil
Be flexible enough to enable teachers, pupils and carers to include achievement in its widest sense
Have the class teacher at the heart of the process
May replace report cards
Engage parents and carers in the process of learning
Provide specific information about pupil progress
Be seen as a process which engages the pupil, teacher and parents/carer in dialogue, rather than a document
Build on systems that already exist
Incorporate, where appropriate Individual Education Programmes and Care Plans

Include targets which are:

Agreed by teachers and pupils during planned contact time
Positive
Specific
Linked to learning outcomes
Focussed on strategies for achieving success
Be monitored and reviewed by guidance and senior management to ensure appropriate support for pupils who require it
Promote successful learning