For the past three years, Learning MATTERS Head of Consultancy, Fiona Wilder, has partnered with Port Vila International School in Vanuatu, working both online and in person to strengthen evidence-based teaching and learning across the primary school. Fiona has just returned from her latest visit.
Serving a diverse community of learners across multiple cultures and languages, including a growing number of EAL students, the school has a clear goal: to build a consistent, high-impact approach to teaching that works for every learner.
A Clear, Deliberate Starting Point
The journey began by building deep teacher knowledge in Structured Literacy and the Science of Reading, creating a shared understanding of why these approaches matter and how they improve outcomes.
With this strong foundation, the school implemented the iDeaL Platform, beginning with spelling before expanding into reading, ensuring practice was embedded, not rushed.
From Knowledge to Practice to Impact
As teacher capability grew, the focus shifted from what to teach to how to teach it well.
Today, the work is grounded in the Science of Learning and Explicit Instruction, with a strong emphasis on high-quality delivery, not just in literacy, but increasingly across the wider curriculum.
The impact is clear.
80 percent of students are now achieving at or above expected levels in reading.
What made the difference?
Knowledge First : A deep investment in building understanding created alignment, clarity, and a shared language across the school.
A Staged Approach: Starting with spelling, then moving into reading ensured teachers built confidence and practice step by step. Writing is the next area of focus.
Focus on Delivery: Embedding explicit, responsive teaching as a focus point strengthened engagement and success for all learners.
Leadership for Sustainability: Leaders have established systems and processes, including a clear induction pathway and a Port Vila International School Playbook, ensuring that that even as staff change, consistency remains the focus
Ongoing Instructional Coaching
A continued focus, coaching from leaders that supports teachers to strengthen classroom practice and translate knowledge into high-impact instruction. This ongoing focus builds consistency, embeds effective teaching approaches, and leads to measurable improvements in student achievement outcomes.
What Makes This Journey Powerful? This is not a story of one-off PLD.
From building knowledge, to strengthening practice, to embedding knowledge, practice and systems that are sustained.
At Learning MATTERS, our Implementation Coaches work side by side with schools to embed evidence-based practice in ways that are coherent, consistent, and built to last.
If you are ready to take the next step in your school’s journey, find out how to partner with an Implementation Coach: https://bit.ly/LMSchoolSupport
