"Challenge the Gap taught us to involve everyone in the school in improving individual outcomes for our pupils. That meant making sure staff across the school knew who Charlie was, and what he needed to succeed".
When we started Challenge the Gap, Charlie was in Year 4. He was disrespectful to staff and reluctant to come to school. We knew he was academically able but he didn’t always engage in class or try with his work.
Challenge the Gap taught us to involve everyone in the school in improving individual outcomes for our pupils. That meant making sure staff across the school knew who Charlie was, and what he needed to succeed.
We slowly strengthened his relationships with staff members by giving him regular one-to-one time to talk about himself, and responding positively to his comments. We introduced ‘targeted questioning’ so Charlie was no longer allowed to opt out of his learning in class. He was selected as a ‘Lead Learner’, which meant he played a key role in role modelling good learning behaviours and supporting other pupils to learn well. He responded really well to that.
Now he actively engages in class, he takes his responsibilities seriously and he has very strong relationships with staff in school. In the future, he wants to be a maths teacher.
Olive Hill Primary School, West Midlands
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