Written question asked by Nick Gibb (Conservative) on Thursday, 16 October 2008, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 20 October 2008. It was answered by Sarah McCarthy-Fry (Labour) on Wednesday, 22 October 2008 on behalf of the Department for Children, Schools and Families.

Teaching Methods

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what role the Assessing Pupil Progress approach has in the implementation of his Department's policy on personalised learning; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: Teachers themselves are best placed to decide how to personalise their teaching and to select appropriate interventions from a range of approaches and support mechanisms. The Department will publish practical guidance on personalising learning for school leaders, School Improvement Partners and teachers in November. The Assessing Pupils' Progress (APP) materials provide teachers with an effective tool to help them form robust judgments about pupils' progression through national curriculum levels and sub-levels. Teachers are able to see a pupil's relative strengths and weaknesses and it is this diagnostic potential of APP, linked to clear routes for progression through the levels, which enables teachers to personalise teaching to address pupils' strengths and weaknesses, and so support them to make the best possible progression.

Secondary information