A NEW ‘toolkit’ to improve the learning experience at Godalming College has been developed as a result of joint research conducted with the Surrey Assessment and Learning Lab (SALL) at the University of Surrey on how 16 to 19-year-old students respond to written feedback.

The classroom aid was developed by Godalming College teacher Neil Winstone to provide lecturers with a set of resources to use in tutorials specifically to promote student engagement.

Trials of the toolkit across a broad range of subject areas have been very successful, with some key findings informing not only best practice at the college but also contributing to the research at the university.

The results of this project show a significant increase in students’ feedback literacy after using the resources and highlight the need for dedicated improvement and reflection time to develop skills.

The results have been not only been promoted through the college, but also through the consortium of nine individual colleges in Surrey and Sussex, which has improved teaching practice locally. 

Olly Stevens, director of teaching, said: “Godalming College prides itself on its exceptional teaching and learning. The partnership with the Surrey Assessment and Learning Lab is a great way to test our teaching methods and contribute to the wider literature.”

SALL director Dr Naomi Winstone added: “With Godalming College, we’re delighted to have been able to work to apply what has been learned within a sixth-form context.”