The Walker Learning Approach has been specifically and rigorously designed and researched to ensure that explicit teaching and learning is retained alongside directed and scaffolded investigations. Successful implementation of this approach will gain successful results and outcomes for children require accurate information and ongoing mentoring.

There are a number of schools that have implemented the Walker Learning Approach over a number of years and have worked with our team to ensure an accurate interpretation of the approach.  In order to maintain a high level of quality control, integrity and rigor in the Walker Learning Approach a certification process is now in place.  Certification is given to teachers who have had at least 20 hours of PD and mentoring from our organisation over at least 18 months and consistently meet the criteria required for the successful implementation of the Walker Learning Approach. This ensures quality and an accurate interpretation and implementation of the approach. Certification does not authorise staff to mentor teachers or other schools.  The only staff authorised to mentor in the Walker Learning Approach are Associates of Early Life Foundations and who have undergone mentor training with the organisation.

We recommend that schools which intend to implement the Walker Learning Approach visit one or two of the schools with WLA accredited teachers to gain a picture of what it looks like in a classroom.  These visits are not designed to inform teachers on "how" to implement the approach, but to demonstrate how the rooms are set up and how the sessions work.

Schools with WLA accredited teachers will generally be open to visitors on the morning of the Friday afternoon symposia.  This enables teachers to visit the schools in the morning and then go to the symposium in the afternoon.  We request that teams who intend to visit these schools to contact our organisation first; this will ensure that these teams are directed to the most appropriate schools that meet their unique needs. Please contact the schools with WLA accredited teachers to book your visit - generally there will be a small charge ($45) to cover teacher release and morning tea. 

 There are three attachments at the bottom of this page, these include;

• The list of schools with WLA accredited teachers
• The list of schools that have had professional development from our organization related to the implementation of the WLA
• The accreditation criteria: list the key elements required for successful and sustained implementation of the WLA including direct links to literacy and numeracy.

The Walker Learning Approach is the Intellectual property of Kathy Walker and cannot be legally reproduced in any way without being endorsed by Kathy Walker and Early Life Foundations.