Developing the Curriculum and Learning Approach at Alice Smith School

At Alice Smith School, it’s important that our curriculum and learning approach are thoughtfully designed to deliver a broad, balanced and purpose-driven education that prepares students for lifelong success and positive impact in the world. Grounded in a blend of the English National Curriculum and innovative pedagogical practices, the curriculum spans from Early Years through Sixth Form, emphasising holistic development, intercultural literacy and emotional wellbeing.

As a school, we are aiming to nurture curiosity and encourage exploration through cross-curricular units, inquiry-based learning, and flexible, well-planned experiences that make learning authentic and connected to real life. Specialist teaching and enrichment programmes support diverse talents and interests while creating a supportive environment for critical thinking, creativity and communication skills.

Curriculum development at Alice Smith is driven by a commitment to provide a future-ready education that integrates a forward-looking digital strategy with personalised learning. This creates an environment where the ethical use of technology and the development of human-centred competencies, such as empathy, problem-solving, and collaboration, thrive. Lessons are carefully structured and informed by rich data, which enables ongoing refinement through continuous assessment and feedback. By prioritising the clarity of what learning looks like at each stage, teachers tailor their approach to meet students' unique contexts and needs.

The school’s digital vision complements this approach by empowering students to become courageous explorers who responsibly use technology to inspire positive change. Adaptive learning tools and AI-driven insights guide personalised educational journeys, ensuring every learner’s style, pace, and interests are addressed. Equally, digital wellbeing and safety are foundational, equipping students with the skills and awareness to navigate the digital world ethically and confidently.

These integrated learning approaches ensure that Alice Smith School delivers a holistic, challenging, and technology-empowered curriculum that nurtures each student’s full potential academically, emotionally and socially.

This academic year, we welcomed David Gerber as our new Director of Learning, a role dedicated to driving high standards, harnessing the power of professional development and spearheading innovation in our learning experiences. We caught up with David to learn more about his vision and approach.

Q & A with David Gerber, Director of Learning

Q: Can you introduce yourself and your role at Alice Smith School?
A: I’m David Gerber, the Director of Learning at Alice Smith School. I bring extensive international education experience from New Zealand, Thailand, the USA, Germany, the UAE, and now Malaysia. I’m excited to contribute to the learning journey here.

Q: What are your main responsibilities as Director of Learning?
A: My focus is on three key areas: the written curriculum - what teachers plan; the taught curriculum - how teachers deliver; and the assessed curriculum - how we measure success. Our primary goal is to establish processes to allow the school to be more agile and responsive to the needs of our learners.

Q: How do you support teachers and students?
A: I listen carefully to understand each teacher’s context and student needs. By understanding each student's “zone of proximal development,” we tailor support to each student and teacher, helping the whole school progress with shared clarity about learning goals.

Q: What projects have you successfully implemented at other schools to improve the learning experience?
A: I led a project to connect students, teachers, and families better through the implementation of a learning management system. This allows teachers to be more adaptable to students' varying needs while making data more accessible to students and families. Ultimately, an LMS helps to make all stakeholders, students, parents and teachers more aware of each learner's progress. 

Q: What is the vision for students’ future learning experiences at Alice Smith?
A: I want students to emerge with a deep understanding of themselves - their strengths, growth areas and available resources. We aim for them to use this awareness and their rich learning experiences here to contribute positively to the wider world. 

Our comprehensive approach ensures that each student receives a rigorous, enriching education tailored to their needs, supported by passionate educators and a nurturing community committed to continuous improvement and excellence in learning.

Q: How does the school’s digital strategy influence learning and teaching at Alice Smith?

A: Our digital strategy is central to how we approach education. It empowers students to become courageous explorers who use technology responsibly to inspire positive change. We integrate adaptive tools and AI-driven insights to personalise learning for every student, catering to their individual pace and style. Alongside this, we emphasise ethical use of technology and digital wellbeing, ensuring students safely navigate the digital world. This vision supports teachers by providing data-driven insights that help tailor instruction and promote continuous improvement. Ultimately, technology enhances our purpose-driven curriculum, enriching learning experiences while safeguarding student wellbeing.