Motivating Boys Little Heath School

Why focus on boys' attainment? Underachievement DisengagementLow expectations Lack of self esteem Nationally there is a 10.1% gap between boys' and girls' attainment in schools (Dfes Standards Site based on five A*-C at G.C.S.E) This gap widens in language based subjects such as English-16%, MFL 15%.

Why focus on boys at Little Heath?  Gender attainment gap very high at GCSE in 2006 – 20%  Boys getting far more detentions  Boys with poorer average attitude to learning

Why focus on boys at Little Heath? GCSE 5+ A* - C GirlsBoysSchoolGap %47%59%21% %52%58%11% %66%69%7% %62%67%11% %61%65%9% %64%74%20%

Consider the implications of the following scenario:  In your mixed ability class of twenty five, you have the following students: What strategies could you use to engage each student? Albert Einstein David Beckham Lenny Henry Sir Richard Branson Scientist Footballer Stand Up Comedian Business Man

Are we the problem? Schools stress boys: Boys learn differently from girls: Schools tend to teach towards girls strengths: Many boys fail academically and therefore get stressed out Stressed boys misbehave.. Exclusions follow.

Does Jack look stressed here?  I learn well when: I know what to do I can concentrate I work in a group I am active Do our teaching styles always reflect each student’s learning needs?

The way forward? Make Little Heath more boy friendly  Whole school policies  Culture and ethos

Make them demonstrate their understanding Students could demonstrate their new understanding in a variety of different ways: for example… Poster and visual displays Group Presentations Assignments Hot seating/role play Preparing and writing exam questions Power point presentations Short films

Boy friendly teaching?  Being assertive or aggressive  Talking or shouting  Praise or scorn  Objective or subjective criticism  Treating like an adult, or as a child

Our subjects or our stakeholders? How can we increase the commitment of more boys to school?  Boy friendly extra-curricular activities  Underline the WIFM from Y7 onwards  Set achievable regular goals and reward their attainment  Target at risk groups of students from Year 7 through to Year 12

The FA (Fantastic Achievement) Cup  League table for ‘under-achieving’ boys  Goals scored for good attitude / work  Weekly League table with prizes for league leaders, most-improved player, hat-trick in a lesson e.t.c.  They feel good, they work, their friends work!