It is not often I put up two Newsletters in the same term. Time available simply does not allow it!! However the work I am currently engaged in with my schools, namely analysis of the most recent data from Raise on Line, is illustrating clearly to me that those who have been immersed in the notion of MASTERY TEACHING AND LEARNING and have applied the key principles for the past eighteen months to two years are those where the gaps truly are closing and many more pupils are learning what they need to when they need to.
In schools where the mindset remains unchanged the quick learn quickly and the rest are still left behind. Look carefully at the progress made by prior attainment groups. Where those previously judged to be lower attainers make the least progress between key stages and the ones previously high attainers make most, whilst those in the middle are somewhere in between, you really need to ask if anything has changed! The gap is surely still widening. The picture is VERY different in schools where they really believe that ALL can learn equally well given the time and the best possible personalised instruction. Expectations are high of all pupils and surprise surprise they respond! In these schools often the prior attainment groups are clustered together in terms of who makes more progress over time. The previously LA often make more than the others. It is simply not predictable because the children are given the opportunities they need and they surprise us !
Take a look at my latest Blog I expressed the view at a recent Cambrde Primary Trust Conference. I think it needs an even wider audience!
