Leading Inquiry Educator Visits Lomond

Highly respected  for her vast knowledge and experience of inquiry-based learning and teaching , Kath presents regularly to educators across the globe and, in a rare visit to Scotland, will deliver a workshop covering the ‘What, Why and How of Inquiry Learning’. 

Recently accredited as an International Baccalaureate World School, offering both the IB Diploma and IB Career-related Programmes, Lomond School is already reaping the benefits of an inquiry-based approach, from J1 all the way to S6.  Lomond’s junior school has developed a bespoke and pupil-centered curriculum which embraces learning through inquiry, and allows  pupils to develop knowledge, conceptual understandings, skills and attributes.

An inquiry approach allows pupils to go beyond mere memorization of facts and rote learning in order to pass tests. Through inquiry, pupils make real world connections and explore topics more deeply:  fostering curiosity, and a  love of learning that stays with them for life. Universities and employers are very clear that they desire bright, inquiring, creative individuals who are not required to be spoon fed.  Although a whole school, joined up approach to inquiry teaching and learning is rare in Scotland, it is well established throughout  the world, in places such as Canada and Australia and studies show the impact it has for young people now and in the future.

Lomond School Principal, Johanna Urquhart said:

“At Lomond School our ethos and values fall perfectly in line with the attributes that inquiry based teaching and learning instill in young people. Pupils in our Junior School are developing critical thinking skills through being introduced to concepts like conflict or inequality rather than the traditional method in Scotland which involves teaching through contexts such as Vikings or Victorians. Within the IB curriculum, inquiry learning is at the core of the programme and the benefit of developing inquiry based skills for further education and employment is well documented.”

Kath, who is well known for her dynamic, practical and interactive workshops and has over thirty years specialising in inquiry based education, will host her workshop: Inquiry Learning: The What the Why and the How! in the Helensburgh school on Friday 30 September 2022. 

 Mrs. Urquhart continues:

“We are delighted to be able to welcome such a world-renowned educator to Scotland and I have no doubt that my own team will benefit hugely from the workshop. We will be joined by a large team of educators from George Heriots School who are cohosting this workshop and we are also looking forward to meeting our colleagues across the country who share our passion for inquiry based teaching and learning.”