‘Narrowing the Gaps’ – what works?’

1. ‘Narrowing the Gaps’ – what works?’ N. Malkin

2. Establishing the NtG brand ‘Narrowing the Gap’ was a two-year development and research programme, funded by the then DCSF, now DfE, and the Local Government Association (LGA), working in a partnership with a host of other agencies. The project started in June 2007 and sought to make a significant difference, on a national scale, to the performance of children by 'narrowing the gap' in outcomes between 'vulnerable' children and the rest, against a context of improving outcomes for all children. In 2007, the LGA commissioned the NFER to review the best evidence on what works in narrowing the gap in outcomes for vulnerable groups across the five Every Child Matters areas. The focus of the project was on 3–13s but with some consideration of the issues for under-3s and for 14–19s.

3. Narrowing the Gap is about ensuring that all children do as well as possible, whatever their backgrounds, special needs or disabilities. It’s about narrowing the gaps in performance. Narrowing the Gap Giving every child the chance to succeed www.oxfordprimary.co.uk

5. The % difference in achievement between FSM and non-FSM pupils 2013

6. The % difference in achievement between FSM and non-FSM pupils 2013

7. The % difference in achievement between FSM and non-FSM pupils 2013

8. The % difference in achievement between FSM and non-FSM pupils 2013

9. The % difference in achievement between FSM and non-FSM pupils 2013

10. FSM v non-FSM achievement gap @ L4+ English and Maths

11. FSM v non-FSM achievement gap @ 5+ A*-C (incl English and Maths)

12. Closing the gap has profound implications for models of effective leadership, as it requires the integration of a complex range of variables, strategies and leadership behaviours. Closing the gap has to be seen as an ethical imperative rather than a policy initiative. Leadership is therefore focused on an explicit moral proposition that centres on securing effective teaching and learning for all. Leadership is driven by personal values that focus on enhancing achievement and wellbeing, irrespective of personal circumstances. John West-Burnham, writing on the NCSL website,(2011)

14. What works to NtG? Identifying exactly what children need, providing high-quality teaching, and giving effective support as early as possible will make a real difference to individual children. Schools need to do two things: ideally, get it right from the very beginning; if not, have clear strategies so that children who are falling behind can catch up. Narrowing the Gap Giving every child the chance to succeed. www.oxfordprimary.co.uk

17. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ksPib9SAyFQ&feature=player_embedded#t=59https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ksPib9SAyFQ&feature=player_embedded#t=59

18. http://shareit.yhgfl.net/nlincs/cpd/?page_id=591

21. Route to NtG Use a range of data tools (Raise on-line, FFT-live, school data dashboard, school data packs -O-track, STAR pack etc). Contact the Education Information Team for support. Compare data with other schools - locally and nationally. Make sure all staff have pupil level data - make the gaps visible. Develop staff capacity and confidence to use and understand data (esp. governors and middle leaders) Do you use data effectively to identify gaps for different groups? KNOW THE GAPS NO YES Ensure ‘Quality First’ teaching for all. Put Wave 2 interventions for Literacy and Numeracy in place (e.g. Talk for Writing). Put Wave 1 interventions in place for targeted pupils (e.g. 121 tuition). Target PP funding. Ensure staff plan for progression and understand what progression looks like. Make sure staff make use of pupil data in lessons. Make sure TAs are used effectively and trained appropriately. Contact the relevant SIOs for support. Work with parents and families to reduce barriers to learning at home. Make sure attendance and behaviour are not barriers to learning. Do you have effective interventions in place? NARROW THE GAPS NO YES Do your tracking systems show what works and why and enable you to set next targets? Focus on improving quality of AfL and accuracy of assessment. Update trackers regularly. Report progress towards targets regularly and review interventions. Use the ‘Equaliser’ to set challenging targets for different groups. Check your interventions are measurable. Have regular pupil progress conversations. Use governors and SIPS to set ‘stretch’ targets. MIND THE GAPS NO YES CELEBRATE THE GAPS CLOSING Are your gaps narrowing rapidly? Review your interventions. Review your cohort and staffing– have there been any changes? Ask for support from other schools. Join a Learning Network. Contact the relevant SIOs for advice. NO YES Well done! Regularly review what you are doing to ensure no ‘slippage’. Report your results widely both within and outside the school community. Put on a celebration event. Offer support to other schools. Offer to lead a Learning Network. Write a case study. Put in for the PP national awards.

22. Accessing and providing support Nancy.Malkin@NorthLincs.gov.uk Tel: 01724 297709 Q2P website: http://shareit.yhgfl.net/nlincs/cpd/?page_id=591