A GROUND-breaking experiment with a new style of teaching at a Swindon secondary school has been hailed a success.

John Wells, headteacher of Headlands School in Pinehurst, scrapped the traditional system of placing pupils into groups by ability alone in September.

In a scheme called Pathways to Learning, youngsters were put into groups determined not solely by their intelligence but by what method of learning suited them best.

Starting with years seven and 10, the pupils were placed in one of three groups: Challenge, Enterprise or Endeavour. They were placed into the groups following a two-week induction period that took account of their Standard Assessment Tests (SATs), Cognition Ability Tests, reading ability and other areas. Challenge is the most traditional of the three, with pupils learning from textbooks and being encouraged to learn independently.

In Enterprise and Endeavour teachers use visual and practical learning methods such as computer presentations and working in groups.

In Endeavour there is a stronger focus on numeracy and literacy.

The pioneering project also involved revamping the staffing structure; the 10 department running posts were replaced with four directors who run broader curriculum areas and all the head of year positions have been replaced by a head of student support.

Mr Wells said: "Having done it for a year I think it is clearly evident that pupils are showing a greater level of effort and motivation across the board than in previous years.

"As a result of the greater motivation we can see signs of an increase in the standards of work and participation in lessons.

"The staff are much more ready to share and discuss the different strategies of teaching needed to meet the needs of the students' different styles of learning."

Mr Wells underlined that he wants teachers to try new things in lessons.

He recalls one lesson he observed on the subject of the Tudors. The teacher was wearing Tudor dress and there was Tudor-style music playing as the pupils entered the classroom.

He said: "She told them to address me as Frederick the Fearless, and they had a role play as well. That was an Enterprise lesson, and the pupils clearly loved it."

The scheme has the support of teachers and pupils. It has even aided recruitment, with teachers attracted to Mr Wells' new ideas.

History teacher, Malcolm Walker, who has been at the school for two terms, said: "I prefer active learning, and pathways suited my style of teaching. There have been some teething problems such as getting the resources for endeavour and enterprise lessons, but it's becoming a success.

"Most schools are reluctant to change if things are working for them but if this scheme is shown to be a success then there is no reason why more schools shouldn't follow us."

The new scheme has been a hit with year seven pupils too.

Scott Francis, 12, from Pinehurst, who is in the Challenge pathway said: "We do a lot of our work out of books and a major part of it is finding things out for ourselves, which I enjoy.

"I think I have benefited from it because we have all got to use our brains a bit more.

"I was in Enterprise before I was moved to Challenge. In Enterprise you make things to find out how they work, and other people enjoy learning that way."

Adam Jenkins, 12, from Penhill who is in the Endeavour pathway said: "I enjoy the pathways, and I feel like I am getting something different that pupils at other schools aren't.

"I work quite hard, and I particularly enjoy science, maths and English. I've really enjoyed learning about the Black Death too."