At Dorchester Middle School, teaching and learning are centred around the belief that every child has the right to learn in an environment that prioritises their needs. The school is committed to putting pupils first, ensuring that each child receives the support and encouragement needed to thrive.

Inclusive practices are at the heart of the school's approach, recognising and valuing the diverse backgrounds and abilities of all pupils. By fostering a supportive and inclusive atmosphere, Dorchester Middle School ensures that every child feels valued and empowered to reach their full potential.

Below are the key areas that all teachers at DMS focus on to ensure consistently high-quality teaching across the school. These aspects are clearly embedded in classroom practice and evident during visits.

Steplab at DMS

At Dorchester Middle School, we use Steplab as our core professional development platform. Steplab is an evidence-informed instructional coaching programme centred on precise, incremental improvements to teaching. Through regular coaching, teachers receive targeted feedback, practise specific techniques, and refine their classroom practice over time.

This structured approach promotes consistency in teaching and ensures that all pupils experience high-quality instruction. We recognise that such consistency is particularly important in securing strong outcomes for pupils with SEND.

The Steplab goals outlined below form the basis of teachers’ ongoing professional development throughout the year.

Previously, professional development was informed by walkthroughs and Rosenshine’s principles. Steplab builds on this foundation by providing systematic, weekly coaching. Instructional coaches support teachers to embed effective strategies through focused practice and feedback, ensuring sustained improvement in teaching quality.