Pupil Book Study: An evidence-informed guide to help quality assure the curriculum

Product Information

Pupil Book Study is a window into the ‘lived experience’ of pupils, as opposed to just the observed experience. It is also a mirror in which to reflect professional practice and identify what helps learning, and what hinders it by outlining clear and coherent structures in which to talk with pupils and look at their books. Infused with cognitive science research and evidence-informed practice, it offers schools the architecture for excellence; helping remove the risk of making assumptions. Detailed Vocabulary Modules built around individual Science, Geography and History modules supporting language acquisition, including: Tier 2, Tier 3, etymology and morphology teacher guides and pupil vocabulary toolkits.

The primary goal of our project is to better understand the pattern of pupil learning, particularly amongst vulnerable groups, and in doing so improve pupil outcomes. Targeted professional development and improved practice and systems will support the delivery of these improved outcomes.

Summary

CUSP is guided by evidence-led curriculum structures, such as retrieval, spaced retrieval practice and interleaving. It is underpinned by explicit vocabulary instruction and research-focused pedagogy. Combining these has led to exceptional outcomes for pupils, as a result of coherent curriculum design and instructional teaching. It also gives you, as school leaders, consistency and expectations. CUSP is unapologetically ambitious – it will not only improve outcomes for pupils, but also teacher subject knowledge.

Pupil Book Study gives headteachers, senior and middle leaders a systematic toolkit to evaluate the impact of the curriculum through studying teaching and learning. Infused with cognitive science research and evidence-informed practice, it offers schools the architecture for excellence; helping remove the risk of making assumptions. Pupil Book Study is a guide for schools that offers 7 specific and fully exemplified areas to focus quality assurance systems. The keystone between teaching, learning and the curriculum, Pupil Book Study offers schools the tools to explain why things are as they are and presents solutions to the areas that limit or hinder progress. Pupils are practised in routines that help them retrieve and recall their learning – particularly knowledge and vocabulary; Schools report that Pupil Book Study has been some of the most powerful and impactful work they have ever undertaken, resulting in positive change.Long term teaching sequences that are interleaved and planned around the retrieval of prior knowledge. Schools report that Pupil Book Study has been some of the most powerful and impactful work they have ever undertaken, resulting in positive change. In November 2020, Pupil Book Study was shared with the Deputy Director, Senior HMI and Policy makers at Ofsted. A network that connects 1000s of teachers and schools using CUSP, who are driving forward their professional growth. A Point of Reference provides teacher notes that connect prior learning and give clarity about what pupils will know and do. It also articulates the art history and relevant connections. The keystone between teaching, learning and the curriculum, Pupil Book Study offers schools the tools to explain why things are as they are and presents solutions to the areas that limit or hinder progress.

With more than 29 years of experience in education as a teacher, headteacher and leading adviser for school improvement, Alex Bedford now supports Unity Schools Partnership and its Research School, working across the UK and abroad. Alex is the creator and author of the highly acclaimed Pupil Book Study series (originally published in 2021) and has worked as an associate consultant for the Institute of Education, UCL. His curriculum writing and resources have been highly praised by Professor Rob Coe and by Clare Sealy (head of education improvement, Guernsey). A long term sequence of learning provides coherence to the CUSP sequence. Learning Modules are written for each area of the Art and Design curriculum. A Point of Delivery provides lesson plan outlines to help teach the what and the how of the learning module. Pupil Book Study is a window into the ‘lived experience’ of pupils, as opposed to just the observed experience.Proven knowledge-rich and impactful curriculum resources (Y1 – Y6) for Science, History and Geography that have been praised by Professor Rob Coe. It is also a mirror in which to reflect professional practice and identify what helps learning, and what hinders it by outlining clear and coherent structures in which to talk with pupils and look at their books.

In November 2020, Pupil Book Study was shared with the Deputy Director, Senior HMI and Policy makers at Ofsted. Leaders are proficient in using and analysing the outcomes of pupil book study - following training, coaching and observation with Alex Bedford; Pupil Book Study: Reading’ provides evidence-led structures to shine a light on the true impact of a school’s reading provision. Building on the global success of the original Pupil Book Study frameworks, this guide translates these principles into practice to support leaders and teachers to evaluate their reading curriculum. High quality teacher videos provide support for technical skills and exemplification of the process and outcomes. It also includes the Point of Practice and Reflection to develop learning about Art and learning from Art.

Leaders have engaged in a rigorous process of school to school, peer to peer moderation and evaluation to ensure and secure the accuracy of outcomes (this process of evaluation would be transferable and made available to other future Newcastle Research School projects); The insights provided from pupil book study direct teachers and leaders to specific areas upon which to focus their improvement. It is the clarity of these insights which pave the way for improve pupil outcomes. Once areas for improvement have been identified, leaders and teachers are then directed to high quality CPD in evidence-informed practice focused around improving the quality of teaching and the quality of pupil participation or engagement. Over time, outcomes improve as leaders and teachers shift their focus to evidence-informed practice proven to help pupils progress and improve their attainment. Lesson by lesson resources through our unique knowledge notes designed to combat the split attention effect and increase cognitive participation. Practitioners are accomplished in delivering and securing knowledge rich learning and retrieval amongst pupils; Pupil Book Study is a guide for schools that offers 7 specific and fully exemplified areas to focus quality assurance systems.