On Friday, I attended the launch of Daniel Sobel’s new book, Narrowing the Attainment Gap at the House of Commons. I have to say, I usually ignore these type of events, however, this new book focuses directly on one of our key challenges in Camden, which is reducing the attainment gap between disadvantaged pupils and their peers. Daniel Sobel has a background in education psychology and psychotherapy and has worked with over a 1000 schools in helping them grapple with the challenge of reducing the gap. He takes a unique approach that enables school leaders to develop their own, specific solutions, rather than off the shelf products, to meet the needs of their school community.

I have been reflecting on this issue this week whilst also considering our own wicked issue around narrowing the gap with our White British cohort here in Camden. Camden Learning are in the process of making a bid to the DfE to fund a White British initiative, where the onus will be on developing a range of approaches within a bespoke school strategy, potentially including using the ‘Listen-Ear’ – language approach, a focus on transition, family engagement, teaching and learning with visibility as a key component and the curriculum.

Cultivating the richness of teaching and learning has been a recurring theme this week with two dynamic teach meets, one at Eleanor Palmer for maths teachers across 6 geographical areas and the other focusing on the Erasmus project, held at Torriano Primary School. The enthusiasm and passion for teaching and a learning through collaboration reminded me of the importance for a quality first approach. Sir Kevan Collins argues (EEF), ‘Pedagogy trumps curriculum every time. It is very clear that the way you teach and how you teach is always more powerful than just changing the curriculum’.

Finally, I am delighted to congratulate Mike Mortlock and the Health and Well Being Team for successfully winning the Technology for Participation Award at the London Sport Awards for their product a Race to Health, using technology to increase physical activity, which is funded for all Camden and Islington schools.

Jon Abbey

Managing Director of Camden Learning