Achievement for All: Raising Aspirations, Access and Achievement.

Description

This new book by the founder of the Achievement for All charity, Sonia Blandford and researcher Catherine Knowles, is a practical guide to the implementation and development of the Achievement for All programme in your school. It includes case studies exemplifying successes from the two year pilot and the national roll out of the programme, and tips for not only setting it up in your school but also sustaining it. The Achievement for All programme is an evidence based whole-school strategy for raising the aspirations, access to learning and achievement of the most disadvantaged learners in any school setting, including those with special educational needs and disabilities, those in receipt of Free School Meals, Looked After Children and other vulnerable groups. The programme closely monitors the children's progress and provides support to prevent them from falling behind. Engaging parents through structured conversations is one of the key areas of focus; this integrated approach to raising aspirations, access and achievement allows for a strong common sense method when dealing with learning barriers such as bullying or poor social skills. This book is a must read for any school leader keen to ensure all of the vulnerable children and young people in their care develop the skills, interests and capabilities they need to become life long learners.

Sonia Blandford is the founder and CEO of Achievement for All, having established seven national and local charities. She is also visiting professor of Educational Leadership and Innovation at the Institute of Education, London and senior research fellow at Oxford University. Sonia is a former university and school senior leader and practising teacher. Catherine Knowles is the research and data manager at Achievement for All. Prior to this she worked as a researcher at the University of Greenwich and Canterbury Christ Church University. She is also a research fellow at the University of Warwick.

This book is the story of a game changer. It should be considered a 'must do' for any school leaders who have yet to match the pupil gains shown here. * Professor Charles Desforges OBE, Parental Engagement Pioneer, former Director of Teaching and Learning Research Programme, Economic and Social Research Council and Deputy Vice-Chancellor, University of Essex * Achievement for All is one of the most important current opportunities in education and undoubtedly tackling one of the most crucial current issues, that of ensuring all pupils, including those of lower ability whether or not said to have special educational needs, achieve. This book sets out the successes, in many cases beyond their highest expectations, of the schools that were the brave ones to blaze the trail. The London Borough of Camden took the lead in gathering every school in the borough to take part and was privileged to marvel at the progress made by so many participating schools. * Tim Coulson, Director of Education and Learning, Essex LA, former Director of Quality, Camden LA * This is a highly readable and inspiring story of how committed people can make a real impact, changing lives and changing society. It is a story of success against the odds and shows how you can make a difference with leadership and determination. This is a book for anyone who believes in better. * Jo Owen - Social Entrepreneur and Author How to Lead * Through strong evidence based research, `Achievement for All 3As' demonstrates extensive material which can be used to deliver the Achievement for All Programme. I have no doubt that the work which Sonia Blandford and Catherine Knowles have carried out will go to on transform the lives of many young SEN learners. * Graham Allen MP, Chair- Early Intervention Foundation * This timely book provides practical, accessible and important information for improving access, aspirations and achievement not only for the 20% of the pupil population in England recognised as SEND, LAC and receiving FSM, but for all children. By capturing the essences of this programme in the form of empirical case studies involving real pupils and schools, the work of Achievement for All 3AS and the difference it has made to the lives of pupils and the improvement of the schools are very tangible. This now national programme, starting from humble but ambitious beginnings has led the way in repositioning the emphasis of pupil participation and progress back in the classroom. Yet, the infrastructure of the Achievement for All 3AS programme involves much more than an emphasis on teaching and learning; with effective leadership, parental engagement and wider outcomes in education and society key features too. Through a process of monitoring and evaluation, and with the support of dedicated Achievement Coaches, schools now have a real, workable and above all sustainable approach to developing and delivering a programme that has been proven to work. If you want to know how to raise aspirations, improve access and achievement - simply read this book. Your next step would naturally be to register for the programme. I personally look forward to July 2016 when 6,000 schools nationally will be enrolled with Achievement for All 3AS. * Dean West, Teacher, Subject Leader and Liaison & Outreach Manager, King Edward VI College, Stourbridge. * Murphy emphasises the evolving, developing nature of wisdom and insight that leaders accumulate as they engage with dilemmas, making the structure of the book useful both as an initial training resource and as a continuing guide. ...very interesting and inspiring * Educational Management Administration & Leadership *