The Author
Rob Porteous graduated from Cambridge University with a BA in Mathematics in June 1983 and trained as a primary school teacher at Moray House College in Edinburgh. He also holds the CertICT leadership qualification.
He taught at a variety of primary schools in the UK and abroad before taking up his post as ICT co-ordinator at the Dolphin School in Berkshire in 1996. During his three years at the Dolphin School he began to experiment with peer tutoring, giving special responsibility to some of his pupils for teaching computer skills to their classmates. The on-screen help system that he developed subsequently developed into the Dolphin System.
From 1999-2007, Rob was Curriculum Leader and then Deputy Head (Learning Opportunities) at St George's School for Girls in Edinburgh, where his particular remit was to work with Junior School staff to develop their confidence and skill in teaching ICT and Mathematics. He has recently been appointed Deputy Head (Learning and Teaching) at George Watson's Junior School in Edinburgh.
Rob has also undertaken action research into peer tutoring which has been published by the Scottish Council for Research in Education, and has given regular presentations to groups of teachers in various parts of the UK. His most recent project has involved pupils in teaching computer skills to their parents.
| "The Staff and pupils of St Mary's Primary School are delighted to report on the success of the Dolphin Peer Tutoring Scheme!
We have been using the programme for a full year now and have seen both confidence and standards rise significantly (and that includes the staff!). We feel that the Ladder of Success gives us something to aim for in manageable chunks and we are all enjoying making progress and moving up. It has been particularly pleasing to see how well the pupils are able to tutor each other and we have discovered some natural teachers amongst the children. Deborah Evans, Headteacher, St Mary's Primary School, Sherborne |