Boys will be boys? Raising boys motivation and achievement in Key Stage Three Design Technology

Aim: Decrease the gap between boys and girls achievement at Key Stage Three. Increase the number of level 5 and level 6 achieved by boys in DT in their Key Stage Three Standard Aptitude Tests (SATs). Improve the behaviour and effort of boys during DT lessons. Increase the number of boys opting for DT - possibly within food and textiles.

Is there truly a shirt of happiness or not? Developing thinking through a Community of Enquiry approach.

Aim: To consider whether a Community of Enquiry approach would improve the ability of Y5 and 6 pupils to discuss issues arising from texts by asking relevant questions. Individual teachers were keen to: Develop written responses to comprehension texts; or Improve the quality of questioning and discussion.

Effective questioning: stepping-stones to meta-cognition?'

Aim: There were two main, linked, aims of this project. The primary aim was to investigate the role of effective questioning by the teacher in a History class. The second aim explored the usefulness of this meta-cognitive strategy in enhancing higher-order thinking skills in the classroom. These are the skills that characterise higher achievement at Key Stages 3 and 4 (11-16 years of age).