Try the techniques


About these techniques

These teaching and learning techniques are suitable for most age groups and subjects. They have been selected as examples of techniques that are supportive of the five elements of narrow gap classrooms, i.e. where the attainment gap between the more and less confident learners is minimised.

There are various ways of filtering the techniques (Key Stage* suitability, level of cognitive challenge, amount of planning time required) in the side bar.

Click a technique title to see more detail and to read feedback from teachers who have tried out that technique.


Try them more than once

Experience has shown that each learner and each class will respond differently to the different techniques. We would urge you to try techniques more than once with a class if they don't immediately work.

Try > Reflect > Tweak > Try again.


Feeding back your experience

When you have tried out one of the teaching and learning strategies on this website we would really welcome your feedback. One of the aims of this website is to forge a shared insight into what works for particular groups of vulnerable learners, and as such we ask that feedback is reflective and adds value for any busy teachers who might be considering using that particular tool in the future.

To feed back simply click on the title of the tool you used and scroll down to the empty text box at the bottom of the page.

Any feedback is valued, but other teachers will find it particularly helpful if you include:-


  • Who you tried it out with: Year group, subject and topic.
  • A brief description of how you used it.
  • What was the response from learners? You might include quotes of things they said or your observations of what seemed different or effective about the technique.
  • What are your observations about the engagement of less confident learners in the activity? What advice would you give to another teacher wishing to use this technique (shortcuts, pitfalls, changes you would make etc)?


N.B. If you produced a resource (e.g. a Interactive Whiteboard file, PowerPoint or card sort) and are happy to share it, please email it to info@narrowingthegaps.co.uk.  Selected resources will be featured on the website.

* Key Stages are learner age phases used in the UK:-
KS1: age 5 to 7
KS2: age 7 to 11
KS3: age 11 to 14
KS4: age 14 to 16
KS5: age 16+