Lesson 1 of 7 · 7 min · 8-card deck

Adaptive teaching, not 'differentiation by worksheet'

Same destination, scaffolded routes — what the ECF actually recommends.

The Early Career Framework deliberately uses the term 'adaptive teaching' rather than 'differentiation' because the older approach — three colour-coded worksheets per lesson aimed at three perceived ability groups — has weak evidence and serious downsides. It locks pupils into a track, lowers expectations for some, and doubles your workload.

Adaptive teaching means having a single, ambitious learning destination for the whole class, while flexibly adjusting explanation, scaffolds, examples, questioning and pace based on what pupils actually do in the lesson. It is responsive in the moment — not pre-planned by perceived ability.

Active recall flashcards

Work through every card. Try to answer in your head before flipping — the act of retrieving is what builds durable memory.

Card 1 of 80 understood

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Practice scenario

A Year 8 maths teacher introduces simultaneous equations to the whole class with the same worked example. Some pupils receive a half-completed second example as a scaffold; others receive a deepening extension applying the method to a worded problem. All pupils end the lesson having engaged with the same core concept.

Try this in your classroom

Keep one ambitious learning destination for everyone.
Adjust scaffolds in the moment, based on observed need.
Use deepening extensions, not 'more of the same' extensions.
Provide partial worked examples for pupils needing more support.