Attention is the gateway to learning—what pupils focus on is what they remember. But attention is limited, easily distracted, and not naturally drawn to academic content. That’s why how we guide it matters so much.
Orchestration of attention in education is the active process by which educators manage and direct pupils’ limited and restless attention to the most important aspects of the curriculum for effective learning. There’s growing evidence that simple attention-supporting strategies can do more than just improve focus: they can help counter the effects of lower prior attainment, disadvantaged backgrounds and weaker self-regulation. In other words, good attention orchestration doesn’t just help everyone, it helps level the playing field.
This staff meeting starter encourages staff to consider attention as the primary currency of the classroom and think about it as a core consideration when we teach. Staff will have the opportunity to share practical ideas and strategies to ensure pupils attend to what we want them to learn.
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