Schools have reduced variance for disadvantaged students in several ways:
1. Providing individual and small group tuition in core subjects, extending the school day, and supporting attendance and enrichment activities.
2. Implementing vertical tutoring and regular progress checks to identify students needing extra support.
3. Deploying teaching assistants and reducing class sizes to enable 1:1 intervention.
4. Consulting students, staff, and parents to understand obstacles and tailor support for different year groups.
5. Appointing support staff to address social, emotional, and non-academic barriers to learning.
6. Holding frequent progress discussions to monitor impact and adjust support in real-time.