Narrowing the gaps includes all current material published by the National Strategies for working with pupils learning English as an additional language. It also includes material to support the learning of Black and Ethnic Minority pupils generally, Gifted and Talented pupils and children from Gypsy, Roma and traveller communities.
The materials are valuable for identifying and meeting the needs of groups and offering personalised learning to individual pupils. Many of the materials are targeted at more advanced learners of English whose needs are often overlooked in the classroom. Narrowing the Gap points out that "It is important to remember that vulnerable pupils may be disadvantaged in a number of ways". Learners of English as an additional language are likely to be found in all the categories included in this document.
The materials include guidance for practitioners in the classroom as well as CPD materials, e-learning courses and specific guidance for school managers. This is a valuable resource for educators and trainees in ITE, new and experienced teachers and Higher Level Teaching Assistants. The CPD materials can also be used at Master's Level in conjunction with theoretical and research literature on bilingual learners.
The materials have been grouped as follows:
Cross phase - Early Years and Foundation Stage - Primary - Secondary - CPD - Management.
Cross phase:
New Arrivals Excellence Programme - case studies http://nationalstrategies.standards.dcsf.gov.uk/node/97907 (Multiverse 13909)
Identifying Gifted and Talented learners.
http://www.qcda.gov.uk/1960.aspx
Gifted and talented education: guidance on preventing underachievement: a focus on exceptionally able pupils
http://nationalstrategies.standards.dcsf.gov.uk/node/84878
Gifted and talented education: helping to find and support children with dual or multiple exceptionality
http://nationalstrategies.standards.dcsf.gov.uk/primary/publications/inclusion/gt_findsuportdme
Gifted and talented education: guidance on preventing underachievement: planning a whole school approach.
http://nationalstrategies.standards.dcsf.gov.uk/node/183104
Gypsy, Roma and Traveller Achievement - DfES Standards website (Multiverse 13382)
Early Years and Foundation Stage:
Supporting children learning EAL : guidance for practitioners in the EYFS
http://nationalstrategies.standards.dcsf.gov.uk/node/84861 (Multiverse 13915)
Building futures: Believing in Children - A focus on provision for Black children in the EYFS
http://nationalstrategies.standards.dcsf.gov.uk/node/170378
Primary:
Excellence and Enjoyment: learning and teaching for bilingual children in the primary years - Teaching units to support guided sessions for writing in English as an additional language.
http://nationalstrategies.standards.dcsf.gov.uk/node/84933
Excellence and Enjoyment: Learning and Teaching for Black children in the primary years
http://nationalstrategies.standards.dcsf.gov.uk/node/113037
Effective provision for Gifted and Talented children in primary education
http://publications.teachernet.gov.uk/eOrderingDownload/GTPrimary.pdf
Secondary:
Access and Engagement: Teaching pupils for whom English is an additional language (Multiverse 511, 512, 513, 514, 539)
Ensuring the attainment of more advanced learners of EAL. CPD modules
http://nationalstrategies.standards.dcsf.gov.uk/node/187536?uc=force_uj
Raising the attainment of Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Somali and Turkish heritage pupils. Guidance for developing inclusive practice
http://nationalstrategies.standards.dcsf.gov.uk/secondary/keystage3/all/respub/xc_ws_raising_attain0004308
Ensuring the attainment of Black pupils
http://nationalstrategies.standards.dcsf.gov.uk/secondary/keystage3/all/respub/sec_blackattain
Effective provision for Gifted and Talented children in secondary education
http://publications.teachernet.gov.uk/default.aspx?PageFunction=productdetails&PageMode=publications&ProductId=DCSF-00830-2007
Management:
New Arrivals Excellence Programme - Management Guide (Multiverse 13909)
http://publications.teachernet.gov.uk/eOrderingDownload/newarrival_mangd_0004108.pdf
Ensuring the attainment of Black pupils - Management Guide (Multiverse 14266)
http://nationalstrategies.standards.dcsf.gov.uk/node/97480
Raising the attainment of Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Somali and Turkish heritage pupils - Management Guide
http://nationalstrategies.standards.dcsf.gov.uk/node/97864
Handbook for leading teachers for gifted and talented education
http://nationalstrategies.standards.dcsf.gov.uk/node/168368
Gifted and talented education: guidance on preventing underachievement: planning a whole school approach.
http://nationalstrategies.standards.dcsf.gov.uk/node/183104
CPD:
New Arrivals Excellence Programme - CPD Modules http://nationalstrategies.standards.dcsf.gov.uk/node/113690
New Arrivals Excellence Programme - e-learning course
http://nationalstrategies.standards.dcsf.gov.uk/node/183801
Gifted and talented e-learning modules
http://nationalstrategies.standards.dcsf.gov.uk/node/175114
Excellence and Enjoyment: learning and teaching for bilingual children in the primary years . Professional development materials. (Multiverse 12870)
http://nationalstrategies.standards.dcsf.gov.uk/primary/publications/inclusion/bi_children/
Ensuring the attainment of more advanced learners of EAL. CPD modules
http://nationalstrategies.standards.dcsf.gov.uk/node/187758
Gifted and Talented Black pupils' achievement. CPD module and briefing pack.
http://nationalstrategies.standards.dcsf.gov.uk/node/194811
