A PIONEERING project at Solihull College & University Centre has been hailed a success as students have taken to the task of teaching the teacher.
Depending on GCSE grades achieved at school, some students retake their Maths and English GCSEs alongside their chosen vocational courses at college.
Students across all campuses have been turning the tables on their English and Maths lecturers by teaching them skills learnt on students’ vocational courses.
The scheme is the brainchild of English lecturer and teaching and learning coach Rachel Arnold who been investigating the impact of role reversal with teachers and students, looking at tackling a failure mindset.
The project was originally launched after a construction student wanted his English tutor to see how good he was in the workshop.
Rachel said: “It was exciting to be able to build on the ‘Teach the Teacher’ activities that have taken place previously to launch a whole college initiative.
“It was rewarding to see so many students benefit from becoming the expert by showcasing their skills, talents and learning.”
“As Maths and English teachers we often see GCSE resit students in our classrooms who are lacking confidence and self-belief due to their previous struggles at school.
“It is wonderful to engage in meaningful activities with these students where the traditional student/teacher roles are reversed, and the abilities and expertise of our students are celebrated.”
Students from almost all departments across the three campuses took part, including performing arts, carpentry, hair and make-up, animal care, plastering, engineering and electrical installation.
