Lunch Hour Lecture: Impact of tracking school pupils by 'ability' on educational & social inequality

The schools system in England is largely comprehensive yet significant gaps in student attainment remain predicated on factors such as social background and ethnicity. One potential explanation for this is 'within-school tracking', or setting and streaming. The 'Best Practice in Grouping Students' study sheds new light on the impact of setting by 'ability' on pupil self-confidence and attainment, and how it exacerbates social inequality. It explores why equitable practice in grouping pupils is difficult for schools. In this lecture Prof. Becky Francis will outline the study’s key findings and share recommendations to promote socially-just and effective grouping practice. Date: Tuesday 15 October 2019 Speaker: Professor Becky Francis is Director of the UCL Institute of Education (IOE). UCL's popular public Lunch Hour Lecture series has been running at UCL since 1942, and showcases the exceptional research work being undertaken across UCL. Lectures are free and open to all.