Affects of Context on New Schools

3986 Words16 Pages
The case study below outlines what context is and how it affects learning, and how this along with policy and theory affects the construction of identity for teachers. In the third part of this case study I will look at context and identity along with theory to see what type of teacher I would like to be and why. Each school in its own way is unique, even if it appears similar to other in its area. No two schools find themselves in the same context; having the same pupils; same ethos; the same staff and achieving the same results. It is no different for the school chosen for this case study. This case study looks to analyse the school context and how this influences teaching and learning, the vision and purpose of the school and the issues of resilience and achievement. According to Christie, P. (2008) the context of a school and the social situation surrounding the school can play a large role in both the performance of the pupil and the school. In South Africa, context has influenced the teaching and learning within a school. For example, a school that is situated in a gang area and affected by drug related crime will struggle to teach learners. School X’s context closely resembles the second scenario. Context constitute surrounding environments, history, resources, defining features, issues of resilience, issues of excellence and how all this affects teaching and learning at the school. School X is a new school founded in 1999. The school moved from a garage to a shopping centre to its current location. The school was founded because there was no affordable Christian co-education school in the community. Its target was the middle income market and community members who could not afford the elite surrounding single-sex schools. The school appointed a full time head master and a governing body. The governing body consists of well-educated members of the
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