As the Elm Class teacher, Mr Mannion brings a unique blend of engineering expertise and educational passion into the classroom. With a global background and a belief that learning should be an adventure, he’s dedicated to nurturing not just academic growth, but confident, curious, and resilient young individuals.
Mr Mannion
Elm Classroom Teacher
Mr Mannion is an accomplished international educator with a distinctive dual expertise in pedagogy and technology. With extensive experience in curriculum leadership, he has consistently delivered outstanding academic outcomes - most notably enabling 80% of his Year 6 students to meet or exceed core subject targets.
A specialist in literacy development, Mr Mannion designed and implemented an innovative guided reading programme for KS1 and KS2 that significantly enhanced students' reading abilities across primary year groups. His approach combines research-based teaching methods with thoughtful technology integration to create dynamic, project-based learning experiences.
Mr Mannion's unique blend of classroom expertise and technical knowledge informs his forward-thinking approach to curriculum design. Passionate about fostering engaging learning environments, he empowers students to achieve their full potential through creative, interdisciplinary teaching strategies.
Learning as an Experiential Adventure
For Mr Mannion, learning should be experienced, not just studied. His classroom is built around experiential learning, hands-on, creative, and connected to the real world. Whether it’s building prototypes, exploring beyond the curriculum, or linking classroom knowledge to daily life, his goal is always to make learning meaningful.
Students remember what they experience, that’s the kind of learning that lasts and shapes how they see the world.
Passionate Teaching & Real-World Connections
To create an inclusive environment, collaboration is key. In Mr Mannion’s English classes, students engage in small-group creative writing workshops: reading drafts aloud, giving constructive feedback, and building on each other’s ideas. In Maths, open-ended collaborative investigations focus on the process rather than just the correct answer, removing the fear of “getting it wrong.”
When structuring lessons, he balances academic rigour with engagement by starting with curiosity, a question, challenge, or mystery. “We unpack concepts through guided exploration, then reflect and apply what we’ve learned independently,” Mr Mannion explains. This approach gives students ownership of their learning, helping students understand “why we’re learning something, not just how.”
Preparing for Transition:
Building Independence & Confidence
For Year 6 students, Mr Mannion believes the most important transition skills are resilience, independence, and curiosity, with confidence at the core. “Academically, strong reading and writing foundations are key, but personally, it’s about being able to manage time, solve problems, and ask questions.”
Collaboration with the Secondary School is also a priority. He works closely with Year 7 staff to share student insights, ensuring a seamless transition. This year, his students have joined Secondary School Design and Technology classes and will soon participate in a heart disdiv with Year 10 and 11 students as part of their science unit on the circulatory system. “It’s exciting to see them stepping into the next stage with confidence and curiosity,” he shares.
Celebrating Growth in Elm Class
As the year unfolds, Mr Mannion is most excited about watching his students grow, not just academically, but as people. Year 6 is filled with milestones: leadership opportunities, personal projects, and confidence built through tackling new challenges.
By the end of the year, every child in Elm Class leaves knowing they are capable, creative, and ready for whatever comes next
繁体
