Reportagem TVi sobre a Escola da Ponte

Summary

The School of the Bridge (Escola da Ponte) in Santo Tirso offers a unique educational approach where there are no traditional classes or grade levels. Students learn at their own pace, with personalized schedules and a focus on autonomy, responsibility, and collaboration. The school encourages individual learning paths while ensuring students develop strong interpersonal skills and citizenship. Teachers act as guides, and students are evaluated based on their readiness. This innovative model, which has been in development for over 37 years, has proven successful in fostering a motivated, responsible, and socially conscious student body.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Ponte School is a public school with a unique approach to education, where there are no fixed classes or subjects, allowing personalized learning for each student.
• 😀 Students at the Ponte School work in groups and follow their own rhythm, with no traditional class structure or teacher-led lessons.
• 😀 Each student has a tutor or mentor who helps them plan their learning goals for a given period, with regular check-ins and feedback.
• 😀 Students are free to organize their own study schedule and decide the order in which they study subjects, promoting autonomy and responsibility.
• 😀 The school's approach encourages collaboration among students, with peers often helping each other rather than relying solely on the teacher's guidance.
• 😀 Teachers act more as facilitators or mentors rather than traditional instructors, providing support as needed but encouraging independent learning.
• 😀 Students' progress is evaluated on their terms, with assessments occurring when they feel ready, either through written or oral evaluations.
• 😀 While students' academic results are important, the school places significant emphasis on personal growth, autonomy, and citizenship.
• 😀 The school values social responsibility, and students are involved in organizing community events such as food and clothing drives.
• 😀 The Ponte School is deeply integrated into the local community, with open communication between teachers, students, and parents, fostering a collaborative environment for growth.

Q & A

What is unique about the teaching approach at Escola da Ponte?

The school does not have traditional classes or grade levels. Students work in groups based on their individual interests and pace, with personalized learning plans, allowing for flexibility in subject choice and study time.

How does the school ensure that each student's learning pace is respected?

At Escola da Ponte, students are given autonomy to set their own learning pace. They follow personalized study plans, and teachers act as guides, helping students manage their tasks and progress according to their individual needs.

How do students collaborate and support each other at Escola da Ponte?

Students frequently collaborate with their peers, often helping one another. They work together on various tasks, with peer support being a crucial part of the learning process, where students learn from and assist each other.

What role do teachers play at Escola da Ponte?

Teachers at Escola da Ponte serve more as facilitators or guides, rather than traditional instructors. They help students organize and plan their learning, offer assistance when needed, but encourage students to take responsibility for their own education.

How is student assessment handled at Escola da Ponte?

Assessment at Escola da Ponte is student-driven. Students decide when they are ready for evaluations, which can be written or oral. The process is flexible, allowing students to feel more confident and prepared when being assessed.

What is the approach to community and family involvement in the school?

The school encourages open communication between students, teachers, and families. Parents can visit and discuss any concerns with teachers or the management team. This transparency fosters a sense of community, with all stakeholders actively participating in the school's activities.

How does the school foster social responsibility and citizenship?

Students at Escola da Ponte are encouraged to participate in social initiatives such as food and clothing drives. The school emphasizes values like solidarity, understanding, and self-help, fostering a sense of citizenship and responsibility among its students.

What challenges do students face when transitioning from Escola da Ponte to traditional schools?

Students often find it challenging to adapt to traditional schools, where they are required to follow a fixed pace alongside their peers. The lack of individualized learning and flexibility can feel restrictive compared to the autonomy they experienced at Escola da Ponte.

What makes the environment at Escola da Ponte different from traditional schools?

Escola da Ponte has a non-traditional structure, with no physical walls separating students by age or year. The focus is on collaboration, autonomy, and individualized learning, where students take responsibility for their own education in a supportive, open environment.

How does the school’s historical context influence its approach to education?

The school, founded in the 1970s, has been continuously evolving to meet the needs of its students. Its innovative approach, which includes breaking down traditional educational barriers, reflects the school’s long-standing commitment to progressive and inclusive education.