Proven Teaching Methods

ISJ follows a structured, research-based approach to teaching, drawing on the best practices of UK independent schools while being adapted to our international context. Teaching is based on the principle that students learn best when instruction is engaging, well-structured, and tailored to their needs.

Structured, Research-Backed Teaching Techniques

Teachers use a combination of traditional and modern teaching strategies, ensuring that students receive a well-rounded, academically rigorous education. 

This includes:

• Explicit Teaching & Direct Instruction –

• Concepts are taught in a clear, systematic, and structured way to ensure a strong knowledge foundation.

• Teachers introduce new material through clear explanations, guided practice, and step-by-step modelling.

• Ensures that students develop core competencies before moving to complex applications.

• Inquiry-Based Learning –

• Students are encouraged to ask questions, explore ideas, and develop independent research skills.

• Lessons are designed to be interactive and thought-provoking, prompting students to analyse, evaluate, and apply their knowledge.

• Encourages curiosity and develops problem-solving and reasoning skills.

• Active Learning & Collaborative Work –

• Students learn best when they are actively engaged in lessons.

• Debates, discussions, problem-solving tasks, and project-based learning promote critical thinking, teamwork, and leadership.

• Lessons include real-world applications, helping students connect learning to practical situations.

• Interdisciplinary Learning –

• Students explore connections between subjects, mirroring approaches used in leading independent schools.

• Examples include integrating history with literature or maths with design and technology, reinforcing learning through cross-subject application.

• Scaffolded Learning & Independent Study –

• Teachers use scaffolding techniques—breaking learning into manageable steps to support students as they develop mastery.

• Older students are encouraged to work independently, develop time management skills, and take ownership of their learning.

Differentiated Instruction to Meet Diverse Student Needs

Every student is appropriately challenged through differentiated instruction, a hallmark of high-quality British independent education. Differentiation allows teachers to:

• Adjust the pace, complexity, and depth of lessons based on student ability.

• Use varied learning materials—texts, visual aids, and interactive content—to cater to different learning styles.

• Provide additional challenges for high-achieving students and extra support for those needing reinforcement.

• Encourage students to set personal learning goals and take responsibility for their progress.

This balanced and adaptive approach ensures that students are engaged, motivated, and continually progressing.

Assessment & Feedback

Assessment at ISJ is not merely about measuring achievement—it is an integral part of the learning process. We use a balanced approach to assessment, similar to that of leading UK independent schools, where both formative and summative assessments play a crucial role in student development.

Formative Assessments | Ongoing Feedback and Observations

Formative assessment is a continuous, low-stakes process that provides teachers and students with real-time insights into progress. It allows for:

• Immediate teacher feedback that helps students refine their understanding.

• Class discussions, group work, and oral presentations to assess comprehension in a natural setting.

• Peer and self-assessments, encouraging reflection and responsibility for learning.

• Exit tickets and quick quizzes to gauge understanding at the end of lessons.

• Homework and in-class exercises that reinforce learning and highlight areas needing improvement.

Formative assessment guides teaching decisions, ensuring that lessons are adapted to meet student needs.

Summative Assessments (End-of-Unit Tests, Reports, External Benchmarking)

Summative assessments are designed to evaluate mastery of content and provide a formal measure of academic progress. These include:

• End-of-unit and end-of-term exams that assess conceptual understanding and problem-solving ability.

• Essays and research projects that develop analytical thinking and independent learning skills.

• Standardised benchmarking assessments that allow ISJ to compare student performance against international academic standards.

• Formal reports and parent-teacher conferences, ensuring that families are informed of progress and next steps.

This structured assessment framework ensures that students receive both continuous guidance and clear measures of achievement, helping them prepare for future academic challenges.

Personalised Learning & Academic Support

ISJ fosters an environment where every student is seen, known, and supported. Inspired by UK independent schools, our personalised learning approach ensures that:

• Students are encouraged to take ownership of their learning, setting personal academic goals.

• Teachers provide individualised guidance, offering challenge and support where needed.

• A range of academic extension programs allows students to develop talents and pursue interests.

Individualised Attention for Student Success

A core principle of ISJ’s academic philosophy is ensuring that each student receives meaningful attention from their teachers. This allows for:

• More tailored lesson planning, ensuring students progress at an appropriate pace.

• Regular, high-quality feedback, helping students understand their strengths and areas for improvement.

• Opportunities for deeper engagement, as students feel more comfortable contributing ideas in discussions.

Support for Different Learning Needs and Abilities

Additional Support for Students Who Need It

For students requiring reinforcement in specific subjects we provide individual or small group academic support to clarify challenging concepts, targeted interventions in literacy, numeracy, and study skills, and ongoing teacher mentorship to track progress and build confidence.

Stretch & Challenge for High-Achieving Students

Advanced learners benefit from enrichment activities, extension work, and independent research projects, academic competitions and leadership opportunities in school-wide initiatives, access to cross-curricular learning, linking knowledge across subjects.

English as a Second Language Support

For students learning English as an additional language, we provide dedicated English language support to enhance communication skills, structured instruction to build fluency in reading, writing, and speaking, and classroom strategies that integrate language learning into all subjects.

Parental Engagement & Collaboration

A strong partnership between school and home reinforces student success. ISJ ensures that parents are actively involved in their child’s education through regular progress reports and parent meetings, workshops on curriculum updates and strategies for home learning support, and school-wide events that celebrate student achievements and academic milestones.