At The Knox School, we place strong emphasis on developing each student as a whole person through our three interconnected journeys of Knowledge, Skills and Character. We believe that education is most powerful when it recognises the individuality of every learner and supports each student to achieve their personal best.
Central to this belief is our commitment to helping students develop a genuine love of learning. We want every learner to understand what effective learning looks like, to recognise the strategies that help them grow, and to build the confidence to take increasing ownership of their progress. When students develop this level of understanding and independence, they begin to demonstrate true Agency in Learning, allowing students to flourish with the ability to enact purposeful change, reflect thoughtfully, and make informed decisions while co-designing their learning journey. This key idea continues to drive our work as a school as we strengthen each learner’s knowledge, skills and character.
This week, during our staff professional learning, alongside consultant Summer Howarth, we proudly launched the first iteration of the TKS Anatomy of Agency, a learning design toolkit created to support staff, students and our broader school community in building a shared understanding of what authentic agency looks like in practice.
The toolkit has been thoughtfully co-designed by a team involving Junior and Senior School students and staff, facilitated by consultant Summer Howarth over a year and a half of work to curate a toolkit that fits our TKS context. The kit is comprised of a series of statements viewed through the lens of the individual student, the teacher and the wider community. Each statement is supported by reflective questions that invite deep thinking and professional dialogue. Together, these elements help us unpack what it truly means for learners to have agency – not simply voice and choice, but the capability to set goals, use evidence, respond to feedback and take meaningful action in their learning.
Over time, this toolkit will become an important touchstone across the school. Staff will use it to inform learning design and classroom practice, students will engage with its language to better understand themselves as learners, and leaders will use it to guide ongoing school improvement. Importantly, this is the first iteration, we see the Anatomy of Agency as a living toolkit that will continue to evolve through feedback, evidence and shared experience.
We are excited about the clarity and shared language this work will bring to our community. By strengthening our collective understanding of agency, we are further empowering Knox students to become confident, capable and self-directed learners who are well prepared for the opportunities and challenges ahead.
