Narrowing the gaps and raising the bar

Narrowing the gaps is about focused action to improve the progress of vulnerable and disadvantaged pupils. In science the main underachieving groups are pupils who are eligible for free school meals (FSM), Black and minority ethnic (BME) pupils, pupils with Special Educational Needs (SEN) and groups of boys or girls who may also fit into more than one of the groups outlined above.

Raising the bar is about focused action to improve the attainment and progress of all pupils and provides teachers with a range of strategies to improve achievement. Coupled with Narrowing the Gaps it provides schools with an approach that will improve outcomes for all pupils.

Narrowing the Gaps is not only about pupils in a school making comparable rates of progress; it's also about the progress being good for all pupils. Many National Strategies resources present strategies that can be used with a wide range of pupils to raise attainment across the school, including pupils entitled to FSM, pupils from ethnic minority backgrounds and gender-based issues.

The support and guidance on Narrowing the Gaps in science is based on the outcomes from an extensive series of visits to schools successful in closing the gaps, particularly with regard to FSM pupils in science.  The analysis of these visits resulted in the development of a series of strategies and outcomes (DCSF ref: 00162-2010PDF-EN-02).
 
Furthermore the strategies and outcomes are supported by more detailed guidance and activities for staff development activities in Narrowing the Gaps in science: a practical guide for science staff and leaders (DCSF ref: 00162-2010PDF-EN-01).

For further guidance in analysing data to target actions see Narrowing the Gaps: from data analysis to impact – The golden thread (00792-2009PDF-EN-01)