Session 3

Narrowing the Gap

Objectives• Consider the gap in science for free school

meals (FSM) pupils • Compare the FSM gap to local and national• Identify strategies to narrow the gap and

accelerate progress for free school meals pupils

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Key messages• FSM pupils can be disadvantaged in a number of

ways and are therefore susceptible to underachievement.

• The Ofsted framework highlights the need to identify significant differences in the underachievement of different groups of pupils. Science subject leaders and teachers therefore need to be aware of who the FSM pupils are and the need to plan support and intervention to ensure they achieve.

• Narrowing the Gaps in science is reliant on accelerating the progress of FSM pupils.

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Narrowing the Gaps and OfstedThe quality of pupils’ learning and their progress

Inspectors should evaluate:

‘how well pupils make progress relative to their starting points, using contextual value added or value added measures including whether there are any significant variation between groups of pupils (e.g. minority ethnic groups, groups with different prior attainment, gender groups, Gifted & Talented groups, pupils speaking English as an additional language), making clear whether there is any underachievement generally or amongst particular groups who could do better’

Ofsted, September 2009

Lies, Damned Lies and Statistics• Consider reasons for the gaps; then explain these to a

peer• Describe any actions you have taken since the last

subject leader meeting as a school or as a department to raise the awareness of ‘narrowing the gap’

• Use your local knowledge, choose a school which is similar to yours, • Check the data to see what similarities and differences there really are, what questions do you want to ask the school?

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Strategies for successfor schools, settings and local authorities (LAs)

Know the gaps• Identify gaps (FSM, G&T, SEN, BME, Gender)• Understand the gaps• Make gaps visible • Promote use of data• Build data confidence

Celebrate gap-busting!• Celebrate/promote gap-narrowing• Capture and share ‘what works well’• Achieve successful Ofsted

Narrow the gaps• Deliver Quality First teaching• Progression planning• Intervention (e.g. 1:1 tuition, ECAR)• Specialist pedagogy• Work with parents and families• Area-based initiatives/partnerships

Mind the gaps• Assessing Pupils’ Progress• Regular tracking and review• Challenge from SIPs/LAs • Relentless focus on gap narrowing• Aim for stretch targets

http://nationalstrategies.standards.dcsf.gov.uk/node/338811

‘Know the gap’Quantitative

– Data activity– Using the data to set targets

Qualitative– Pupil voice– Lesson observations– Teacher perceptions

‘Narrow the gap in science’• Curricular provision & planning• Quality first teaching (Including Literacy &

Behaviour for learning)• Science pedagogy/ HSWs• Intervention• Work with parents, families & other adults• STEM enrichment & enhancement

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