The Social Mobility Commission (SMC) - chaired by headteacher Katharine Birbalsingh - is to review the practices schools use to improve outcomes for pupil premium students.
In a new report setting out its work for the year, the commission said it wanted “a better understanding of interventions which work” and was particularly interested in learning more on teaching quality and style.
In its 2022-23 business plan, the SMC has said it will develop a research project to understand how practices implemented by schools “may relate to students’ progress”.
And it adds: “Understanding ‘what works’ for families and schools can help us to raise awareness and advocate for the best evidence-based approaches to ensure that all children get the best start in life and, ultimately, improve their social mobility prospects and fulfil their potential.”
The plan says it will look particularly at the interventions used by schools that perform well on Progress 8 measures, which are effectiveness measures looking at how schools improve their pupils’ exam results compared with expected grades.
And it adds that the commission is “particularly interested in learning more about aspects of teaching quality and style”.
Ms Birbalsingh, who chairs the SMC, has become a high-profile school leader as the head of the Michaela Community School in Brent, London.
On her Twitter profile, she describes herself as “Britain’s Strictest Headmistress”.
Year 7 pupils at Michaela are taught how to sit properly on a chair, how to walk to lessons quickly in single file and how to concentrate on the teacher, to instil good behaviour as soon as they arrive.
She posted on Twitter earlier today that she was “thrilled” at Michaela’s Progress 8 score, which, at 2.27, means pupils generally achieved, on average, more than two grades better than expected at GCSE level - the highest such performance in the country.
When Ms Birbalsingh took up the SMC role in 2021, she said her immediate priorities would include “developing a sound evidence base from which change can flow”.
At the time, the then minister for women and equalities - and now outgoing prime minister - Liz Truss, said of her: “By expecting high standards and not indulging the soft bigotry of low expectations, she produced amazing results at Michaela school and gave those children the best chance in life.
“She will bring that same attitude to the commission and be a loud champion of equality of opportunity.”
