Belvoir Park Primary School

SEN - Differentiation Policy  

Lesson Plans

 

As each class is made up of individuals with different concepts, aptitudes, skills and knowledge, we believe that it is inappropriate for them to work on identical programmes of study.

 

Why differentiate ?

 

Ÿ       To cater for individual abilities and interests.

 

Ÿ       To aid planning procedures and target setting.

 

Ÿ       To ensure pupil achievement and success.

 

Ÿ       To enhance individual capabilities, strengths and interests.

 

Ÿ       To ensure more accurate record keeping.

 

Ÿ       To make assessment procedures more effective.

 

Ÿ       It makes teaching and learning more effective.

 

Ÿ       To better match task to pupil.

 

Ÿ       It will ensure that children can progress at their own pace.

 

Ÿ       Differentiated work can assist with early diagnosis of learning difficulties.

 

Ÿ       To identify specific needs and gaps in learning.

 

Ÿ       Differentiated tasks can lead to the more effective use of resources.

 

Ÿ       Children will be better motivated and fewer behavioural problems will arise.

 

 

Ÿ       What would you expect to see in a classroom where there is effective differentiation ?

 

 

Ÿ       Pupils working independently and showing autonomy.

 

Ÿ       Pupils would be working in a variety of different ways.

 

Ÿ       The classroom would be organised in an appropriate way for the lesson.

 

Ÿ       Pupils may be working on a variety of tasks.

 

Ÿ       All the children would be involved and well motivated.

 

Ÿ       Pupils would be on task.

 

Ÿ       The teacher would be free to move around the classroom.

 

Ÿ       There would be a positive pupil-teacher interaction.

 

Ÿ       Pupils would be involved in negotiating their work.

 

Ÿ       The children would present their outcomes in a variety of ways.

 

Ÿ       A variety of assessment techniques would be in use.

 

Ÿ       The teacher would adopt a variety of roles.

 

Ÿ       Co-operative learning would be taking place.

 

Ÿ       Appropriate texts and guides would be in use.

Ÿ       A range of resources would be in evidence.

 

Ÿ       Teachers’ planning and records would be on an individual basis.

 

 

Ÿ       What can be done to facilitate differentiation ?

 

Ÿ       Smaller classes and working groups.

 

Ÿ       Increased classroom resources.

 

Ÿ       Assistance in the classroom.

 

Ÿ       Simple but effective planning and record keeping.

 

Ÿ       Effective arrangement of classroom furniture.

 

Ÿ       Each classroom to have adequate basic equipment.

 

Ÿ       Classroom materials and tools should be readily available.

 

Ÿ        There should be a  variety of reading levels within text resources.

 

Ÿ       Classroom organised in appropriate way for  the lesson.

 

Ÿ       A variety of types of resources should be available.

 

Ÿ       There should be clear communication between teacher and pupils.

 

Ÿ       A variety of tasks should be set.

 

Ÿ       Children should be grouped in appropriate ways.

 

Ÿ       Facilitating timetables.

Ÿ       Teachers need to be aware of pupils’ prior learning and experiences.

 

Ÿ       Flexible deadlines need to be set for completion of work.

 

Ÿ       There should be availability for training of staff.

 

What results to expect from effective differentiation ?

 

Ÿ       Interested, well motivated children responding to challenges.

 

Ÿ       Children working productively on task.

 

Ÿ       Pupils showing greater independence and co-operation when required.

 

Ÿ       Children would be aware of their own progression and develop the ability to self evaluate.

 

Ÿ       Effective teaching and learning would take place.

 

Ÿ       A high degree of both teacher and pupil satisfaction.