ABSTRACT
School population is now more diverse than ever before, with pupils of very different abilities, aptitudes and interests, from a wide range of cultures making up our mainstream classes. Many of these learners will experience difficulties of some sort at school, especially when they are faced with higher academic expectations at the end of KS2 and into KS3–4. The teachers have a keen awareness of the many factors affecting a pupil's ability to learn, including characteristics of the individual but also aspects of the learning environment that can either help or hinder learning. The national curriculum, special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) legislation, examination reform and significant change to Ofsted inspection means that teachers need to keep up to date and be able to develop the knowledge, skills and understanding necessary to meet the needs of all the learners they teach. High-quality continuing professional development (CPD) has a big part to play in this.
