Teaching & Learning in The KSA Way

At the heart of our educational approach is a commitment to inclusive, evidence-informed teaching that empowers and develops every learner.

Our Teaching & Learning & Playbook is built around two core pillars: Executive Functions and Universal Practices.

Executive Functions

We recognise that students’ ability to learn is deeply connected to their cognitive development. Our strategy explicitly supports the development of eight executive functions:

1. Working Memory: Remember important information while you’re using it.

2. Self-Monitoring: Being aware of how you’re doing right now.

3. Impulse Control: Think before you act.

4. Planning & Prioritising: Set goals and work out how to reach them.

5. Task Initiation: Take action to start tasks.

6. Organisation: Keep track of your things and your thoughts.

7. Flexible Thinking: Adapt to unexpected changes.

8. Emotional Control: Manage your emotions.

These functions underpin students’ ability to manage their learning, behaviour, and emotions. 

Universal Practices

Our six highest-leverage teaching practices are embedded across all classrooms and routines.  These practices are designed to be consistent, inclusive, and responsive to students’ executive function needs.

• Know Our Kids – building strong relationships and understanding and planning to meet individual needs.

• Meet & Greet – setting a positive tone from the moment students arrive.

• Do Now – activating prior knowledge and setting purposeful starts to lessons.

• Recognition – celebrating effort and achievement to build motivation and connection to our curriculum.

• TROGS – Task, Resource, Outcome, Groupings, Stop Signal - a visual tool that clarifies task expectations and promotes independent learning and self-awareness.

• Seating Plans – strategically designed to support learning and classroom dynamics.

Our Universal Practices