The Art of questioning

On average, how many questions do teachers ask in a day?

370. And that's an average; some teachers will ask more, some less.

The quality of those questions will likely determine the quality of learning within any classroom

Why so many? Questions support curiosity. Curiosity supports thinking. Thinking hard promotes learning, and learning promotes further learning. Questioning well is one of the most important skill teachers develop. It allows them to develop pupils' ability to ask their own questions, which in themselves allow children to deepen the breadth and scope of knowledge. Questioning is one of the most vital tool in a teacher's toolbox; questioning clearly sets expectations teachers have of the quality of thinking within their classrooms.

Depth of questioning is liek a barometer for learning.

The most successful learners are those who respond with further questions of their own, and this is an important part of our work. When this happens, pupils really do demonstrate a spark for learning. They have a thirst to understand and make sense of new information, and the best classrooms ensure children ask their own questions, and develop curiosity for more. Here at Layton, we spend a lot of time working with each other to develop opportunites where children can ask questions, and this plays a key role in our vision.

In my role, visiting classrooms and seeing pupils working on this in school, alongside their teachers and peers is a highlight of my work. Working with teachers, and supporting them to work with each other to improve this aspect of their practice, and creating the time and space for them to develop this with and alongside others really does have a big impact on the quality of the work in our school and the learning of our pupils. Creating opportunities within lessons for children to ask questions is vital to their learning.

The 370 questions are 370 opportunities to learn. If pupils ask as as many questions, we will accelerate learning exponentially, growing great minds together. It's an aspect we will continue to improve as we see it as vital to devleoping pupils who see themselves as successful learners; the ability to learn, unlearn and releearn will be vital as pupils move through life.