New Report Uncovers Strategies Used by Leading Trusts to Close the Ethnicity Attainment Gap

Introduction:

A government study found that schools diversifying their curriculum and celebrating cultural diversity successfully closed attainment gaps between pupils from different ethnic groups. It was commissioned in response to the Sewell report on race and ethnic disparities. The research found that a focus on inclusive education and fostering a sense of belonging drove positive outcomes.

Full Article: New Report Uncovers Strategies Used by Leading Trusts to Close the Ethnicity Attainment Gap

School Curriculum Diversification Closes Ethnic Attainment Gaps, Government Study Finds

A recent government study has found that schools that diversified their curriculum and celebrated cultural diversity successfully closed attainment gaps between pupils from different ethnic groups. The study was commissioned in response to the Sewell report on race and ethnic disparities.

Successful Strategies

The “small scale, exploratory” research report probed multi-academy trust’s most successful strategies to bridging gaps and found that celebrating cultural diversity played a key role in this success. Leaders at nine MATs and one local authority school were interviewed, including United Learning, The Harris Federation, and Academies Enterprise Trust.

Interventions Based on Educational Needs

Leaders consistently stated that they did not use ethnicity as a factor to identify pupils who needed intervention to close attainment gaps. Instead, interventions were based on the educational needs of individual pupils, such as literacy and reading. Some leaders considered it invidious and tantamount to stereotyping to use ethnicity as a factor for intervention.

Diversifying Curriculum and Building a Sense of Belonging

All of the trusts reviewed their curriculum to ensure it was more representative and inclusive. They sought to build leadership and staff teams that reflected the diversity of their school communities. Trusts used proactive approaches to building strong relationships with parents and the wider community and made celebrating cultural identities a core part of the school’s life.

Practical Lessons

The findings of the study are not intended to be generalizable across the education system but rather to inform the direction of any future research. However, the practical lessons on narrowing gaps are not specific to different ethnic groups but relate to the basics of effective school improvement, such as high-quality teaching and strong leadership.

Adapting to Local Context

Researchers emphasized the necessity of adapting broad approaches to reflect the local context and community. They also suggested that further studies could interview a broader range of people, such as parents and staff, to provide a more rounded picture of practices.

The government’s response to the Sewell report also pledged a model history curriculum by 2024 and a recommendation that schools collect and publish data on the diversity of their governing board.

Summary: New Report Uncovers Strategies Used by Leading Trusts to Close the Ethnicity Attainment Gap

Diversifying curriculum was successful in closing attainment gaps between students from different ethnic groups, as per a government study commissioned post the Sewell report on race and ethnic disparities. Schools that focused on cultural diversity and reviewed their curriculum ensured more inclusivity and representation, leading to positive outcomes for students.

Report Reveals How Top Trusts Closed Ethnicity Attainment Gap

According to a recent report, several top trusts have successfully closed the ethnicity attainment gap in their schools. This is a significant achievement and can serve as a model for other educational institutions to follow. The report highlights the strategies and best practices employed by these trusts to achieve this milestone.

Key Findings

The report identified several key findings, including the following:

• The importance of leadership and commitment to addressing the attainment gap.
• The implementation of targeted support and intervention programs for students from minority ethnic backgrounds.
• The use of data-driven decision making to identify and address disparities in academic achievement.

Implications for Other Trusts

Other trusts and educational institutions can learn from the success of these top trusts and implement similar strategies to close the ethnicity attainment gap in their own schools. By adopting the best practices outlined in the report, schools can create a more equitable and inclusive learning environment for all students.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the ethnicity attainment gap?

A: The ethnicity attainment gap refers to the disparity in academic achievement between students from different ethnic backgrounds. It is a persistent issue in many educational settings and can have long-term consequences for the affected students.

Q: How did the top trusts address the ethnicity attainment gap?

A: The top trusts addressed the attainment gap through a combination of leadership commitment, targeted support programs, and data-driven decision making. These strategies helped them to identify and address disparities in academic achievement among their students.

Q: What can other trusts learn from the report?

A: Other trusts can learn from the report by understanding the best practices and strategies employed by the top trusts to close the ethnicity attainment gap. By implementing similar approaches, schools can work towards creating a more equitable and inclusive learning environment for all students.

Q: How can schools use the report to improve their own practices?

A: Schools can use the report as a guide to identify effective strategies for addressing the ethnicity attainment gap. By studying the experiences of the top trusts and adapting their best practices, schools can make significant progress in closing the gap in their own settings.