Individualized learning

Can Less Be More? Instruction Time and Attainment in English Secondary Schools

This study found that extended teaching was some help in closing the attainment gap between students on free school meals and others.

Keeping pupils in school for longer lessons would not be enough to overcome the gaps in their learning caused by Covid disruption, according to this research by the University of Cambridge.

The research found that schools already timetabling longer teaching time in subjects such as English and maths see only modest improvements that may not justify the extra cost.

The British Psychological Society said that instead the additional time would be better spent allowing children to play, socialise and engage in activities such as music, crafts and sports that were also missed out on while schools were closed to most pupils during the lockdowns.

So far the government’s catch-up efforts have been aimed at creating a national tutoring programme, offering small group and one-to-one tuition. But MPs report that more radical plans for a school day running from 8am to 5pm or even 6pm with voluntary attendance have been considered, as well as funding for at least 30 more minutes of compulsory lessons.

But the study by Vaughan Connolly, a researcher at Cambridge’s education department, suggests that only small gains could be expected from longer time spent in lessons.

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