Why do so many pupils in Years 7, 8 and 9 'switch off' and make very little progress in the core subjects such as English and mathematics? What can teachers and schools do to improve pupils' attitudes and motivation? Maurice Galton and his team have collected examples from various schools of what works in re-energising demotivated pupils. This book presents practical advice and strategies for improving lower secondary school classrooms, ranging from reducing class size, to innovative induction programmes emphasising the development of core study skills, and developing effective procedures to train pupils to cooperate rather than confront each other during lessons. Chapters cover: - Making a Good Start to Secondary Education. - Creating a Cooperative Classroom Climate - Improving Communication between Pupils and Teachers - Why are some classrooms more successful? - How can school structures influence positive relationships? The book is a much-needed resource for all secondary teachers, and is particularly useful for year and subject heads.

"Teaching and Learning History" offers a fresh and distinctive view on the teaching of history in schools at a time when the value of learning about the past is often questioned. Drawing together ideas from research, classroom practice and the voices of learners themselves, it sets out an imaginative and wide-ranging rationale for a view of history as an essential component in the learning of all young people. The book is organized around four underlying ideas: The place of history in the contemporary school curriculum The importance of inclusive practices The nature of successful history pedagogy The centrality of professionalism and innovation These four ideas interlock throughout the book as the authors review current practices, consider what history offers to all young people and offer practical guidance on developing outstanding practices for all learners.

Beginning with an account of what it means to teach and learn history in schools, the authors go on to explore the main purposes of teaching history in schools. The book offers rich guidance on successful classroom practice, and sets classrooms in the wider context of the curriculum in a rapidly changing and often deeply divided society. Key features of the book include: Securely grounded in real classrooms with examples in easy to use charts and boxes Extensive examples from real learners This book is essential reading for students training to teach history.

Why do so many pupils in Years 7, 8 and 9 'switch off' and make very little progress in the core subjects such as English and mathematics? What can teachers and schools do to improve pupils' attitudes and motivation? Maurice Galton and his team have collected examples from various schools of what works in re-energising demotivated pupils. This book presents practical advice and strategies for improving lower secondary school classrooms, ranging from reducing class size, to innovative induction programmes emphasising the development of core study skills, and developing effective procedures to train pupils to cooperate rather than confront each other during lessons. Chapters cover: - Making a Good Start to Secondary Education. - Creating a Cooperative Classroom Climate - Improving Communication between Pupils and Teachers - Why are some classrooms more successful? - How can school structures influence positive relationships? The book is a much-needed resource for all secondary teachers, and is particularly useful for year and subject heads.

'An ideal text for challenging the thinking of those studying for NPQH... The conclusion by the authors suggests nine major points to consider if improvement for schools in extremely challenging circumstances is to happen and be sustained. These 'nine lesson for policy makers' are very frank and pertinent points, let's hope at least some of our policy makers read them!' - ESCalate 'Rarely does a book on education reform capture both the big and the small picture with such brilliant clarity. MacBeath and his colleagues furnish a 'no holds barred' account of the ins and outs of understanding and assessing the impact of schools struggling for success. A fascinating read' - Michael Fullan, Professor Emeritus, OISE/University of Toronto Schools serving young people on the margins of society face a major challenge in trying to create an environment where students can succeed. The book examines key issues in the field of school improvement. More specifically, it draws on evidence from the SFECC (Schools Facing Exceptionally Challenging Circumstances) project to explore: o the policy context of schools on the edge o the nature of extreme challenges o the way schools have responded to extreme challenge o what seems to be effective in helping such schools to meet the challenge o obstacles to success and the facilities and resources that can make a difference o strategies to meet the needs of the local community and facilitate lasting change. Each of the authors has wide experience of school effectiveness and improvement, and of working with schools in disadvantaged communities in Britain, the USA and many other parts of the world. School leaders, local authorities, practitioners and all those involved in any aspect of school leadership and school improvement will find this book highly pertinent.

'An ideal text for challenging the thinking of those studying for NPQH... The conclusion by the authors suggests nine major points to consider if improvement for schools in extremely challenging circumstances is to happen and be sustained. These 'nine lesson for policy makers' are very frank and pertinent points, let's hope at least some of our policy makers read them!' - ESCalate 'Rarely does a book on education reform capture both the big and the small picture with such brilliant clarity. MacBeath and his colleagues furnish a 'no holds barred' account of the ins and outs of understanding and assessing the impact of schools struggling for success. A fascinating read' - Michael Fullan, Professor Emeritus, OISE/University of Toronto Schools serving young people on the margins of society face a major challenge in trying to create an environment where students can succeed. The book examines key issues in the field of school improvement. More specifically, it draws on evidence from the SFECC (Schools Facing Exceptionally Challenging Circumstances) project to explore: o the policy context of schools on the edge o the nature of extreme challenges o the way schools have responded to extreme challenge o what seems to be effective in helping such schools to meet the challenge o obstacles to success and the facilities and resources that can make a difference o strategies to meet the needs of the local community and facilitate lasting change. Each of the authors has wide experience of school effectiveness and improvement, and of working with schools in disadvantaged communities in Britain, the USA and many other parts of the world. School leaders, local authorities, practitioners and all those involved in any aspect of school leadership and school improvement will find this book highly pertinent.