Raising achievement pocketbook

Broadly speaking, before the mid-1990's 'raising achievement' was not a key item on most schools' agendas.

Schools hoped students would fulfil their potential, but it didn't always happen.

Times have changed. There's a wealth of internal and external data to track pupils' progress and to reveal which groups and individuals are underachieving.

These days schools and teachers are expected to find strategies to 'close the gap', to make sure all pupils maximise their opportunities for success.This Teachers' Pocketbook starts by looking at some of the myths that interfere with our thinking about how to raise achievement, and why it is so important that we overcome these.

A short section 'What raising achievement looks like' is followed by practical examples of how to create a 'climate for achievement'.Drawing throughout on the latest education research, chapters on feedback, metacognition and motivation are presented with lively examples and case studies. 'Testing Times' hones in on best practice for teaching students to do well in exams, including a helpful reminder of the theory of marginal gains. Involving parents, carers and peers in helping to raise achievement and ensuring staff have great opportunities for effective CPD are other key aspects of the book, which concludes with a usefulself-audit.Caroline Bentley-Davies has worked as a teacher, middle leader, adviser and consultant.

She runs training and demonstration lessons for schools in the UK and overseas.

A successful education author, her Outstanding Lessons and Literacy Across the Curriculum Pocketbooks are key titles in the Teachers' Pocketbooks Series.