Kelly Gray, Head at Prospect House School in Putney, on the importance of a tailored education to support individual learning styles
No two children are ever the same, so why should their learning be identical? The most effective school settings recognise that each child brings unique strengths, interests, and challenges. A personalised, responsive approach ensures that learning is meaningful, engaging and supportive, laying a strong foundation for both academic achievement and personal growth.
Take an autumn nature walk, for example. While one child gathers conkers to create a number line, another sorts them by size, and yet another uses them in a storytelling exercise. What seems like simple play is actually a differentiated, multi-sensory learning experience. Hands-on exploration like this allows children to engage at their own level, reinforcing key concepts in a way that feels intuitive and enjoyable. Effective teaching builds upon children’s natural curiosity, making learning seamless rather than imposed.
This balance of structure and flexibility is crucial. Play-based learning fosters creativity and problem-solving, but it must be paired with careful observation, skilled intervention, and targeted support. The most successful early years teams integrate structured phonics and numeracy sessions alongside exploratory, child-led activities, ensuring that every child builds confidence in key skills at a pace that suits them.
At Prospect House, individualised learning is not just a concept; it is a practice that we implement at every educational stage. Personalisation doesn’t mean lowering expectations – it means adapting to the child. For example, a child with sensory sensitivities may initially struggle with messy activities like painting. Rather than excluding them, creative ways are found to make participation comfortable, perhaps by offering tools like brushes or gloves, before gradually increasing exposure. Similarly, a child who is selectively mute might engage in phonics through gesture and visual cues rather than spoken repetition, ensuring they can still access the curriculum.
Beyond the early years, tailored pathways become even more vital. From age 7, children begin to develop stronger subject preferences and skills, and a rigid, one-size-fits-all approach becomes limiting. Schools that offer specialist teaching in areas such as music, art, sport, and computing provide children with the opportunity to deepen their skills and develop expertise. Scholarship programmes, independent projects, and exhibition opportunities encourage children to take ownership of their learning, fostering independence and motivation.
“What seems like simple play is actually differentiated, multi-sensory learning – hands-on exploration allows children to engage at their own level”
Ongoing, responsive assessment is another hallmark of effective teaching. The best educators don’t just follow a curriculum, but observe, listen, and adapt. By embedding low-pressure assessment into daily teaching, gaps can be identified before they become hurdles, ensuring that each child receives the right level of challenge and support.
Crucially, education should prepare children not just for exams but for life. Schools that create a culture of curiosity, resilience and self-motivation set their students up for long-term success. A child who learns to take risks in their learning, to see mistakes as opportunities, and to develop independence in their thinking will carry these skills into adulthood.
The challenge for educators is to create an environment where every child’s potential can flourish – a place where differences are celebrated, learning is adaptable, and success is defined by progress rather than comparison. When education is truly personalised, every child has the opportunity to shine. As a head teacher, my commitment is ensuring that every child can uncover their true potential and develop a lifelong love of learning.
Prospect House School prospecths.org.uk
Further reading: ISL London on the benefits of outdoor learning
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