The power of story to make the curriculum accessible for all our pupils

Too often we can be tempted to think that pupils with additional needs aren’t able to access a rich, demanding curriculum.

Fortunately, the research is on hand to help us!

While we know intuitively that we know more and remember more if we’ve heard it in a story, it’s also backed up by the research:

• The Faster Read research from the University of Sussex, showing significant gains in reading scores for all pupils in the trial, and almost double for those identified as ‘poorer’ readers

• Dan Willingham’s research that ‘our brains privilege story’

• Steven Pinker: ‘cognitive psychology has shown that the mind best understands facts when they are woven into a conceptual fabric, such as a narrative’

I show what’s possible when we’re thinking about how to introduce important ideas and concepts to all pupils, including those with low starting points.

I’m starting with geography, history and religious education.

The sessions are live and recorded.

To access the webinars you just need an annual or group subscription to Myatt & Co.

If you or your school don’t already have an annual subscription, it’s easy to subscribe and you get access to the popular primary and secondary subject networks and ongoing professional development.

Until next time

Mary