Using specialist expertise

last updated:September 2010

How might incorporating specialist expertise help you to target the needs of minority ethnic pupils appropriately?

Research evidence

The research showed how identification of individual pupil needs led to well-developed systems of support. This included:

• language support
• mentoring
• homework and revision clubs.

Sometimes, this involved input from colleagues, adults and parents with specialist expertise in minority ethnic achievement.

Your evidence

You may find it helpful to work in class with a colleague who is either a specialist or has more experience of working with ethnic minorities than yourself. You could plan the lesson together and share ideas on how you could support different groups in the class. Discussing the reasons for approaching work differently for different groups of pupils will help you to expand your sense of possibilities.

Next steps

You may find the process of sharing ideas for effective teaching strategies with a colleague who is more experienced at working with minority ethnic pupils, helps you gain a better understanding of your minority ethnic pupils’ needs. Would it now also make sense to consider involving other adults with specialist expertise, such as parents, in pupil’s learning? For instance, you could run a homework or revision club for pupils with the help of parents. This might also be a good way of fostering relationships with parents.