Nathaniel Atherton, Primary Principal
19 January 2024
This week's Spotlight shines a light on a cornerstone of our educational philosophy at ICS Inter-Community School Zurich - the definition of High-Quality Learning (HQL).
Our journey to define HQL began as a required part of the Collaborative Learning Protocol (CLP) for accreditation with New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) and the International Baccalaureate (IB) which took place in 2022-2023. But it grew into something much more significant - a reflection of our mission, our vision, and our unique pedagogical identity.
Developing our HQL definition involved a comprehensive internal reflection phase, aligning with both NEASC and IB philosophies. To craft this definition, we engaged our entire community in a thoughtful and inclusive process. A one-day workshop invited teachers, students, parents, school leaders, and support staff to participate.
The result of this collaborative process is an aspirational definition that we are proud to uphold and continuously strive to embody in all our educational endeavours at ICS.
The multifaceted definition is as follows:
High-quality learning is transformative, inclusive and joyful. Learning at ICS inspires us to embrace challenges and create authentic connections between ourselves and the world.
Breaking down the definition helps us better understand this powerful statement:
- Transformative: Learning at ICS goes beyond the acquisition of knowledge; it is about inspiring change. It empowers students to evolve, to think differently, and to approach problems with innovative solutions. This transformation is not just intellectual; it is personal and social, moulding students into agents of change in their communities.
- Inclusive: Our classrooms are melting pots of diverse thoughts, cultures, and backgrounds. Inclusivity here means that every student's voice is valued and heard. It is about creating an environment where differences are celebrated and used as a strength, fostering a sense of belonging and respect.
- Joyful: Joy in learning is inherent. At ICS, we believe that education should be an enjoyable and fulfilling experience. This doesn’t mean every moment on a learning journey is joyful. Sometimes learning is hard (see Embracing Challenge below) but doing hard things feels good. Joy comes from engagement, curiosity, and the satisfaction of overcoming challenges. It is about nurturing a love for learning that stays with students throughout their lives.
- Embracing Challenge: Our definition of HQL includes encouraging students to embrace challenges. At ICS, challenges are seen not as obstacles but as opportunities for growth and learning. When students are stretched to the edges of their capabilities, they grow. As part of that process, students can enter what John Nottingham coined as the “Learning Pit”. Helping learners embrace these moments with resilience and a positive mindset is critical for preparing them for the complexities of the real world.
- Authentic Connections: Finally, our learning philosophy emphasises creating authentic connections between learners and the world. This is about ensuring that what we teach is relevant and meaningful, connecting classroom lessons to real-world issues and experiences. It's about helping students understand their role in the global community and equipping them with the skills and knowledge to make a positive impact.
Defining high-quality in learning in the abstract helps identify and plan for high-quality learning now while helping frame future strategic work. However, moving from the conceptual to real-world examples helps to illustrate how we are living out this statement.
In my next Spotlight, I will highlight examples of learners embracing challenges in authentic contexts while being transformative, inclusive, and joyful.
In the meantime, I invite you as parents to look for examples of high-quality learning both in your school and home, because after all, learning happens everywhere!
Kind regards,
Nathaniel Atherton
Primary Principal