Abstract
<p style="text-align:justify">This research explores the impact of effective leadership and targeted interventions in closing the achievement gap of disadvantaged pupils in primary schools. Findings suggest that the case study schools use effective school leaders and a range of targeted interventions including early intervention, small group additional teaching, one-to-one tuition, peer tutoring, parental involvement, booster class, mastery learning, pastoral care, and enrichment programmes. Each of the above success factors and intervention strategies was explored in detail in the paper. The overall conclusions of this study are that the case study schools have closed the achievement gap between disadvantaged pupils and their peers through providing effective school leaders and the use of a range of effective intervention strategies. We would suggest that the case study schools’ stories of how they have closed the achievement gap through providing strong school leaders and the use of targeted interventions are of local and national significance. Our research also suggests the possibilities for further research. The recommendations from the study are that there is a need to replicate and expand this research with a larger sample of the study, in order to explore in detail what works in schools.</p>
Highlights
There is a widespread concern about the achievement of disadvantaged pupils who are entitled to free school meals and their peers
The first question we asked during the case study and focus group approach research was What are the key factors in closing the achievement gap? ‘What are the targeted interventions that have been useful in closing the gaps?’ The finding from the case study shows schools had effective leadership and used pupil premium funding grants for targeted intervention
The evidence from the schools suggests that these targeted interventions and strong leadership have undoubtedly had an impact on closing attainment gaps for eligible pupils
Summary
There is a widespread concern about the achievement of disadvantaged pupils who are entitled to free school meals and their peers. This research explores the impact of effective leadership and targeted interventions in raising attainment and closing the achievement gap of disadvantaged pupils. That follows we look into literature reviews, methodology, and the key findings on the impact of effective leadership and targeted interventions in closing the achievement gap in schools. This is followed by discussion, conclusions and recommendations for policy makers and future research.
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