Valley Gardens Middle School introduced project based learning in September 2019 across their whole school.

In week 2 of their timetable, all pupils are engaged in PBL activities around school. Each year group has a different focus and within each year there is a carousel of three termly activities operates, so pupils participate in all three projects throughout the year.

Pupils are taught the necessary content and given information needed, but also have opportunities to work autonomously, developing their projects within their groups and utilising their skills, whilst developing and learning new ones such as problem solving, decision making, communication skills, research skills, ICT and time resource and time management.

The outcome will be different in each project, some producing a written piece, whilst others produce a documentary or a piece of drama. These will be showcased throughout the year on Twitter, in the School Newsletter, on the School Website and in live performances.

Learning Objectives:

• Students will work within the parameters of each unit to complete a project either individually or collaboratively applying a range of skills to meet the agreed objectives and outcomes. 
• Students will obtain, critically select and use information from a range of sources. 
• Students will solve problems, take decisions critically and, where applicable, collaboratively achieve outcomes. 
• Students will evaluate both the outcome and the process in relation to their own learning and skills development and application. 

Each year group's focus is split into three projects, and the themes for 2019-2020 are shown in the plan below: