Equity in the classroom: Levelling the playing field of learning - a practical guide for teachers

'Comprehensive and groundbreaking.' Dylan Wiliam

Equity in Education sets out a new equity-based approach in education to help teachers improve the prospects of under-resourced and working-class pupils.

The equity approach recognises that we must address our own cultural biases and barriers within the classroom, while helping to remove extra barriers to learning experienced by children outside schools. Based on thousands of research studies and years of working with expert teachers, the book sets out the principles and practical strategies for trainee teachers, teachers and teacher leaders.

Adopting an equity mindset involves four key principles:

· equity not equality - doing more to overcome the extra barriers some learners experience

· capacity not deficit thinking - recognising the talents in all pupils

· deep not shallow relationships - developing authentic individual relationships with pupils

· multiple not singular talents - acknowledging that human talents come in many forms.

Equity in Education also advocates the national policies that would enable teachers to prioritise an equitable approach and reduce divides between the education haves and have-nots.