The 104-place school was inspired to develop its use of photography following a study week in Reggio Emilia, attended by Sue and deputy head Maureen Cryan, and a visit by all staff to the Reggio 100 Languages of Children Exhibition.
A camera is now available in each of the classrooms, enabling teachers to capture clear evidence of a child's work. Photographs can show progression and provide an excellent means of recording the learning process. Taken and reviewed over time, photographs help track the children's progress and wellbeing, and so inform future planning.
'Photography has added another dimension to our process of monitoring and documentation,' says Sue. 'It is very good for reflecting on what has happened and helping with planning.' Photographs can reveal insights into more than just the subject of the photograph, with a shy, tired or uninterested child sometimes 'snapped' lurking in the background.
'We sometimes find that it's not what you take in the photograph, it's what is in the background that is interesting. It tells you what you've missed,' says Sue.
The school has found that the benefits of photography extend far beyond mere documentation. Staff can incorporate photographs that they have taken into project work. Children enjoy taking and using photographs in role play, while their familiarity with being photographed gives them the confidence to ask to have their work photographed, so adding to the value that they attach to what they have done.
Parents too are benefiting from the school's photographic displays, which now focus more on the learning process, rather than just the end product.
Commended in their Ofsted report for their use of photographic evidence, the inspector also noted, 'The good-quality displays convey to children that their efforts, intentions and ideas are taken seriously. This has a significant impact on the children's attitudes to school and their work. Children are confident and keen to ask questions and are always keen to do their best.'
Tips
*Keep a camera in a handy place in the classroom.
*Get in the habit of picking uop the camera as well as the pen during observations.
*Take shots without attracting the children's attention too much and note down their comments about their play at the same time.
