Removing barriers to opportunity and achievement | Research | NACE
Removing barriers to opportunity and achievement
Despite repeated calls
for excellence and equity in our national education system, the data shows widening gaps in outcomes and opportunities for learners who encounter disadvantage: potential is too often unfulfilled.
Building on NACE’s ongoing research into how schools can provide cognitively challenging learning opportunities for all, this new publication focuses in on what this means for young people who face a range of barriers to achievement. Calling for a move away from fixed labels, preconceptions
and “deficit thinking”, it shows what is possible when schools turn their attention to identifying and removing systemic barriers – changing those national statistics, one life at a time.
Led by NACE Research & Development
Director Dr Ann McCarthy, this project has been conducted in association with researchers at York St John University. It draws together a review of the existing evidence and research relating to ability and disadvantage, alongside the hands-on
experience and expertise of schools across NACE’s diverse network. Read the Project Overview.
How can NACE support you in removing barriers to opportunity and achievement for learners in your school?
Through membership:
Including opportunities to share best practice with other members through in-person member meetups, online member spotlights, webinars (both live and on catchup) and other events …
Through engaging with the NACE Challenge Development Programme:
The NACE Challenge Development Programme, founded on the NACE Challenge Framework, is designed to support school leaders who are uncompromising in their ambition to ensure more able learners achieve their potential, in the context of challenge
for all …
What schools say about our events: "Really useful" "Inspiring" "Great practical ideas" "I enjoyed hearing from other schools" "Excellent examples and resources"
Watch the recording of the first launch event: key messages for school leaders with opening comments from Professor John Jerrim.
Watch the recording of the second launch event: key implications for classroom practice with opening comments from Professor Haili Hughes.
Our other Making space for able learners publications:
Purchase the publications
Each of the three phases of research has resulted in a publication, summarising key messages for schools, with practical examples and case studies. Copies can be purchased for your school CPD library (£15 each or £30 for all three, including
delivery within the UK).
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Despite repeated calls
for excellence and equity in our national education system, the data shows widening gaps in outcomes and opportunities for learners who encounter disadvantage: potential is too often unfulfilled. 
