With the help of the pupils themselves, this programme explores what lessons can be learnt from recent DCSF research on schools that are making great progress for all of their children. William Ford CofE Junior School in east London is one such school. Over the last three years, more than 90% of their pupils who were at Level 2 in KS1 progressed to Level 4 at KS2. What lies behind these outstanding rates of progression? The school works to place a very high importance on a culture of achievement and aims for everyone in the school to share this vision. Lessons aim to be pacy, interactive and clearly sign-posted. With writing as a whole school focus, 8 hours per week is spent on literacy teaching. Every teacher has writing as part of their performance development. They track the progress of their pupils regularly, vigorously and individually. Pupils' levelled writing is audited on a regular basis across the year using an external literacy adviser.

Video Series: Portraits Of Progress
Release Date 2007