This programme highlights some of the tactics used at Hall Green School, Birmingham aimed at improving achievement levels and narrowing the gender gap. In the last 3 years boys have outperformed girls at KS3 in terms of contextual value added (CVA) progress and in one of those years surpassed the girls at GCSE level as well. Headteacher Alan Greaney says boys that come to us are the usual mixed bunch that attend any school and within that group there will be boys that want to coast along if they're allowed to. We're trying to make sure that doesn't happen. As a specialist Arts college the English department often leads the way. Gavin Saunders, head of English says, The success we've had is about taking risks, being able to look at ideas and say I think that will meet the boys needs. But at the end of the day there's no magic wand as to how you engage the boys. We just keep experimenting and where we have successes we keep it and where it doesn't work we look for the next thing.

Video Series: Narrowing the Gap
Release Date 2008