Narrowing the Attainment Gap: a Handbook for Schools

The attainment gap between disadvantaged pupils and their peers is one of the most insidious social injustices in the developed world. It is a significant factor in the growing inequality of our societies and persists across time and nations. For this reason, narrowing the gap is a top priority for governments and policymakers, and an issue that all schools must tackle.

Written by a leading expert in the field of inclusion, Narrowing the Attainment Gap is designed to support school leaders in understanding and reducing the attainment gap in the context of their setting. Drawing on research and his own extensive experience in leading a team that has worked with over 1,000 schools, Daniel Sobel examines the real issues behind the attainment gap and the barriers schools face when trying to narrow it.

The book provides a unique approach with hands-on, practical guidance to enable every school leader to develop their own bespoke solutions to meet the needs of their community. Case studies and examples illustrate how these interventions can be put into practice and the impact they can have, while template resources help schools demonstrate to stakeholders the change they are driving at an individual, cohort and whole-school level.

“A well-researched, thought provoking and, above all, practical guide to narrowing the attainment gap. Daniel Sobel takes a balanced and reflective perspective on attainment and disadvantage and then distils this into helpful guidance for schools. Thoroughly recommended!”

A well-researched, thought-provoking and, above all, practical guide to narrowing the attainment gap. Daniel Sobel takes a balanced and reflective perspective on attainment and disadvantage and then distils this into helpful guidance for schools. Thoroughly recommended! Steve Higgins, Professor of Education, Durham University, @profstig Daniel Sobel's approach of how to meet the needs of children who struggle in school, for whatever reason, makes perfect sense. Working with Daniel is one of the few times in my career that I've not only had a lightbulb moment but an experience that changed my perceptions of learning forever. Narrowing the Attainment Gap explains this approach in a way that will make you think how you can give children a better chance in life. The results for my school were dramatic. Sarah Conant MSc, Consultant Headteacher The book provides a unique approach with hands-on, practical guidance to enable every school leader to develop their own bespoke solutions to meet the needs of their community, and to pass these down through the school. Parents in Touch [Sobel] has made a heartfelt contribution to the very real issues that we as a community have in addressing the needs of children and young people most in need of our support and I welcome this addition to the cause. Anita Kerwin-Nya, Schools Week

Daniel Sobel MA Ed (Psych) FCMI FCIC FRSA is the CEO and founder of Inclusion Expert, a leading educational consultancy offering training and resources to professionals working in inclusion. With a background in educational psychology and psychotherapy, and as a former assistant headteacher, he has experience from a broad spectrum of in-school and consultancy work. He has consulted with the Department for Education, the European Union and various international governments, the Institute of Education and the Cass School of Education at the University of East London. In 2012, Daniel was highly commended at the Educational Business Awards for his outstanding insights and strategic thinking in education and Inclusion Expert won a Grand Prix at the Education Investor Awards in 2015.

Daniel is the author of The Pupil Premium Handbook and is a featured columnist for The Guardian. He has also written for the Times Educational Supplement and is a regular contributor to the education press in England, New Zealand, Canada and the USA. He regularly speaks on educational inclusion, social and behavioural issues, special educational needs, managing mental health, foster care children and impoverishment at national and international conferences.

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